Reevaluation of cardiac risk scores and multiple biomarkers for the prediction of first major cardiovascular events and death in the drug-eluting stent era

Abstract Background Risk scores and cardiac biomarker tests allow clinicians to accurately diagnose acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and perform early risk stratification. However, few investigations have evaluated use of these risk scores and biomarkers for predicting risk of cardiovascular events in drug-eluting stent (DES) era. Methods This prospective cohort study included 861 patients with ACS. Three risk scores—Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE), Platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa in Unstable angina: Receptor Suppression Using Integrilin, and Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction—and levels of four biomarkers—N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT pro BNP), high-sensitivity troponin T, heart-fatty acid binding protein, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein—were recorded on admission. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (death, cardiovascular events) were evaluated at 30-day and 1-year follow-up. Results At 30-day follow-up, there were 23 (3.1%) deaths from cardiovascular events and 4 (0.5%) cerebral accidents. NT pro BNP levels and GRACE score were strong MACE predictors, with adjusted odds ratios (OR) (95% CI) of 2.90 (1.63–5.20) and 1.01 (1.00–1.02), respectively, in logistic model. The C-statistic of NT pro BNP (0.77; 95% CI, 0.67–0.86) was similar to that of GRACE score (0.76; 95% CI, 0.66–0.87); however, the combined C-statistic was higher (0.81), yielding a net reclassification improvement of 13% (p < 0.01). At 1-year follow-up, there were 51 (6.8%) deaths and 10 (1.3%) cerebral accidents. Conclusion In the DES era, GRACE score and biomarkers can still predict major cardiac events in patients with ACS for both acute and long-term prognoses.