Prediction of coronary risk by SYNTAX and derived scores: synergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with taxus and cardiac surgery

Abstract

The introduction of the SYNTAX (Synergy Between PCI With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) score has prompted a renewed interest for angiographic risk stratification in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Syntax score is based on qualitative and quantitative characterization of coronary artery disease by including 11 angiographic variables that take into consideration lesion location and characteristics. Thus far, this score has been shown to be an effective tool to risk-stratify patients with complex coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention in the landmark SYNTAX trial, as well as in other clinical settings. This review provides an overview of its current applications, including its integration with other nonangiographic clinical scores, and explores future applications of the SYNTAX and derived scores.

Keywords: CABG; CAD; CSS; FFR; FSS; GRC; LM; MACCE; MACE; MI; PCI; SS; SYNTAX score; TVR; clinical SYNTAX score; coronary artery bypass graft; coronary artery disease; coronary risk stratification; fractional flow reserve; functional SYNTAX score; global risk classification; left main; major adverse cardiac event(s); major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event(s); myocardial infarction; percutaneous coronary intervention; rSS; residual SYNTAX score; risk score; target vessel revascularization.