A new prognostic evaluation of patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary angioplasty: combined Zwolle and Syntax score

Abstract

Background: The Zwolle score (Zs) is a validated risk score used to identify low-risk patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The Syntax score (Ss) is an angiographic score that evaluates the complexity of coronary artery disease.

Aim: We aimed to create a simple risk score by combining these two scores for risk stratification in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI.

Methods: 299 consecutive STEMI patients (mean age 57.4 ± 11.7 years, 240 men) who underwent primary PCI were prospectively enrolled into the present study. The study population was divided into tertiles based on admission Zs and Ss. A high Zs (> 3) and high Ss (> 24) were defined as values in the third tertiles. A low Zs and low Ss were defined as values in the lower two tertiles. Patients were then classified into four groups: high Zs and high Ss (HZsHSs, n = 26), high Zs and low Ss (HZsLSs, n = 29), low Zs and high Ss (LZsHSs, n = 48), and low Zs and low Ss (LZsLSs, n = 196). In-hospital cardiacoutcomes were then recorded.Results: In-hospital cardiovascular mortality was higher in HZsHSs (50%) compared to the HZsLSs (27.5%), LZsHSs (0%), and LZsLSs (0.5%) groups. After adjustment for potentially confounding factors, HZsHSs (OR 77.6, 95% CI 6.69–113.1, p = 0.001), and HZsLSs (OR 28.9, 95% CI 2.77–56.2, p = 0.005) status, but not LZsHSs and LZsLSs status, remained independent predictors of in-hospital cardiovascular mortality.

Conclusions: STEMI patients with HZsHSs represent the highest risk population for in-hospital cardiovascular mortality.