Predictive value of the age, creatinine, and ejection fraction (ACEF) score in patients with acute coronary syndromes

Abstract

Background: This study sought to investigate the predictive value of the age, creatinine, and ejection fraction (ACEF) score in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The ACEF score (age/left ventricular ejection fraction +1 [if creatinine > 176 μmol/L]) has been established in patients evaluated for coronary artery bypass surgery. Data on its predictive value in all-comer ACS patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention are scarce.

Methods: A total of 1901 patients prospectively enrolled in the Swiss ACS Cohort were included in the analysis. Optimal ACEF score cut-off values were calculated by decision tree analysis, and patients divided into low-risk (≤1.45), intermediate-risk (>1.45 and ≤2.0), and high-risk groups (>2.0). The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) included all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, clinically indicated repeat coronary revascularization, definite stent thrombosis, and transient ischemic attack/stroke.

Results: One-year rates of all-cause death increased across ACEF score groups (1.6% versus 5.6% versus 23.0%, p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, the ACEF score was related with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 3.53, 95% CI 2.90-4.31, p < 0.001), MACCE (adjusted HR 2.23, 95% CI 1.88-2.65, p < 0.001), and transient ischemic attack/stroke (adjusted HR 2.58, 95% CI 1.71-3.89, p < 0.001) at 1 year. Rates of Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) major and Global use of Strategies to Open Occluded Coronary Arteries (GUSTO) severe bleeding paralleled the increased ischemic risk across the groups (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: The ACEF score is a simple and useful risk stratification tool in patients with ACS referred for coronary revascularization.

Keywords: Acute coronary syndrome; Percutaneous coronary intervention; Risk prediction.