[Correlation of TIMI risk score with angiographic extent and severity of coronary artery disease in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes]

Aim of study: To determine whether the TIMI risk score correlates with the angiographic extent and severity of coronary artery disease in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome undergoing cardiac catheterization.

Patients and method: We conducted a retrospective review of 239 medical records of patients who underwent coronary angiography secondary to non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome between 2002 and 2006. Patients were classified into three groups according to TIMI risk score: TIMI scores 0 to 2 (group 1: n=121), 3 to 4 (group 2: n=100), and 5 to 7 (group 3: n=18). We compared the coronary angiography findings of the three groups.

Results: Patients of group 1 had a greater likelihood of normal or non significant CAD than patients of group 2 (36.3 % vs 13 %, P<0.001) and than patients of group 3 (36.3 % vs 0 %, P=0.002). One-vessel disease was found more often in patients with TIMI score 0 to 2 than in patients with TIMI score 5 to 7 (28.9 % vs 0 %; P=0.01), and in patients with TIMI score 3 to 4 than in those with score 5 to 7 (35 % vs 0 %, P=0.006). However, 1-vessel disease was found in patients of group 1 as often as in patients of group 2. The frequency of two-vessel disease was similar whatever the level of TIMI score was low, intermediate or high. Three-vessel or left main disease was more likely found in patients of group 3 than in patients of group 2 (66.7 % vs 26 %; P=0.01), and than patients of group 1 (66.7 % vs 13.2 %; P<0.001). Chronic coronary occlusions and coronary calcifications were also more likely found in patients with TIMI score 5 to 7.

Conclusion: In patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome undergoing cardiac catheterization, the TIMI risk score correlated with the extent and severity of coronary artery disease.