Impact of TIMI Risk Stratification on In-Hospital Mortality in Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome: Perspectives from a Coronary Intervention Facility

Abstract

Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) encompasses a range of conditions, including non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), which is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Risk stratification is essential for guiding management strategies to improve patient outcomes. The Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score is a validated tool for predicting mortality in NSTEMI patients, yet its applicability in South Asian populations requires further investigation. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association of the TIMI risk score with in-hospital mortality among NSTEMI patients in a tertiary care cardiac center and to assess the relevance of the TIMI score as a prognostic tool in a South Asian context. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 126 patients presenting with NSTEMI at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Karachi. Data were collected from June 2012 to June 2013 after the institutional review board's approval. Inclusion criteria were adults aged 18 to 85 with a TIMI score ≥5, while exclusion criteria were refusal to consent and a history of cardiac surgery. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and in-hospital outcomes were analyzed using SPSS version 25, employing Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests for categorical data, with a significance level set at p≤0.05. Results: The study found that 52 (41.3%) patients had diabetes mellitus, and 78 (61.9%) suffered from hypertension. A positive family history of coronary artery disease was observed in 29 (23.0%) patients. Among participants, 42 (33.3%) were smokers. The in-hospital mortality rate was 14.3%. No significant differences were noted in mortality regarding demographic and clinical variables. Conclusion: Elevated TIMI scores in NSTEMI patients are associated with significant in-hospital mortality. The findings underscore the importance of the TIMI risk score as a predictor of short-term outcomes in a South Asian population. The study highlights the need for further validation of the TIMI score in diverse populations and the optimization of risk stratification tools.