The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) today unveiled a new mobile application that provides cardiothoracic surgeons and their multidisciplinary teams instantaneous bedside access to its acclaimed adult cardiac and thoracic surgery risk calculators. Available for both iOS and Android devices, the STS Risk Calculator App integrates the Society’s latest evidence-based models, drawing on nearly 10 million procedures recorded in the STS National Database to produce precise, patient-specific risk estimates.
Bringing the STS National Database to the Point of Care
“With this app, reliable, risk-adjusted data are always within reach, whether you’re in the operating room, the clinic or on call,” said STS President Dr Joseph F. Sabik III. “Our goal is to empower surgeons and care teams with the same robust statistical models they trust online, now in a fast, intuitive mobile format.”
Users can select from a suite of calculators tailored to common procedures—ranging from isolated tricuspid valve repair or multi-valve surgery (with or without coronary artery bypass grafting) to esophagectomy and lung cancer resections. Each module predicts key outcomes such as mortality, stroke, renal failure and expected hospital length of stay, facilitating informed physician-patient conversations and shared decision-making.
Enhancing Clinical Workflow and Patient Outcomes
By streamlining access to up-to-date risk assessments, the app aims to reduce time spent manually entering data into desktop interfaces, accelerate preoperative planning and support consent discussions. Data security features ensure patient information remains confidential, while offline functionality allows risk estimations in settings without Wi-Fi connectivity.
“Integrating advanced technology into everyday practice is critical for improving surgical decision-making and patient safety,” added Dr Sabik. “This launch underscores STS’s commitment to developing practical digital tools that translate the depth of our National Database into better clinical outcomes.”
Future Developments and Availability
STS plans to expand the app’s capabilities over the next year, including modules for pediatric cardiac surgery and quality-of-life predictions. The Society will also collect user feedback to refine the interface and add functionalities such as automated report generation for electronic health records.
The STS Risk Calculator App is available now for free download through the Apple App Store and Google Play, with installation instructions and support materials hosted at STS.org.
