The Role of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Risk Scoring Systems in Predicting Coronary Atherosclerosis

Abstract

Background: Comparative data on the performance of cardiovascular risk scoring systems (CRSSs) in patients with severe coronary artery disease (CAD) are lacking. Objectives: To compare different CRSSs regarding their ability to discriminate patients with severe CAD. Method: A total of 414 patients (297 men; 61.3±12.3 years of age) undergoing coronary angiography were enrolled and evaluated for major risk factors. Cardiovascular risk and risk category were defined for each patient using the Framingham, Systemic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE), and Pooled Cohort Risk Assessment Equation (PCRAE) tools. Severe CAD was defined as ≥ 50% stenosis in at least one major coronary artery and/or previous coronary stenting or coronary artery bypass grafting. A p <0.001). Discussion: PCRAE had higher positive and negative predictive values for detecting severe CAD in high-risk patients than the Framingham and SCORE tools. Conclusion: We can speculate that currently used CRSSs are not sufficient, and new scoring systems are needed. In addition, other risk factors, such as serum creatinine, should be considered in future CRSSs. (Int J Cardiovasc Sci. 2021; 34(1):32-38)