The Added Value of ST-Elevation in Lead aVR to Clinical TIMI Score in Predicting the Angiographic Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Non ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Abstract Background Atherosclerosis is the ongoing process of plaque formation involving primarily the intima of large and medium-sized arteries. The condition progresses relentlessly throughout a person’s lifetime, before finally manifesting itself as an acute ischemic event. TIMI score is a tool of 7 points for patients with NSTE-ACS to detect the risk according to the score. The term acute coronary syndrome (ACS) includes unstable angina (UA), non STsegment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Aim To investigate the added value of the presence of ST-segment elevation in lead avR on admission electrocardiogram to the (TIMI) clinical scoring system in predicting the angiographic severity of coronary artery disease in patients admitted with NSTE-ACS. Patients and Methods 150 patients with Non ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome was included from Cardiology Department, Ain Shams University Hospital, Cairo, Egypt. Results From those patients, 137 patients (91.3%) diagnosed by coronary angiography to have significant CAD and 93 patients (62%) had ST-Elevation in lead aVR . These 137 patients were divided into 3 groups according to TIMI risk score to 16 patients (10.6%) had low risk score, 63 patients (42.0%) had intermediate risk & lastly 58 patients (38.7%) had high risk score. . Although being useful in prediction of multi-vessel & LM involvement among high risk group, TIMI score failed to predict the same in intermediate & low risk groups where multi-vessel involvement was found in 46 patients (30.6%) & 7 patients (4.6%) of intermediate & low risk groups respectively. Also LM involvement was found in 15 patients (10%) & 2 patients (1.3%) of intermediate & low risk groups respectively. Conclusion ST-segment elevation (STE) in lead avR had an adding predicting value in NSTEACS patients especially those with low to intermediate TIMI score. Adding the value of STE in lead aVR to TIMI risk score may improve the early stratification & management of those patients at high risk coronary artery disease, with subsequent impact on morbidity & mortality.