[Important classifications and scores in cardiology]

Classifications and scores play a fundamental role in clinical cardiology. While classification systems may help to quantify symptoms and stages of disease, specific scores enable risk stratification and may facilitate decision-making in various cardiac disorders. The present article reviews some of the most frequently used cardiologic classifications and scores. Frequently used classification systems are the NYHA classification for staging patients with cardiac diseases according to their symptoms and functional capacity, and the CCS classification for grading the severity of symptoms in patients with stable angina pectoris. The Killip classification represents a simple clinical tool to estimate mortality risk in patients with acute coronary syndromes. While there is no controversy about the acute management of patients with STEMI - i. e. reperfusion therapy by fibrinolysis or, preferably, primary percutaneous coronary intervention - the diagnostic and therapeutic strategy in patients with NSTE-ACS depends on their individual risk. Various scores have been developed for early risk stratification in patients with NSTE-ACS. Of these, the TIMI risk score and the GRACE score are the most frequently used. Prevention of thromboembolic events represents a primary therapeutic goal in patients with atrial fibrillation. In affected patients, scores such as the CHA2DS2-VASc-Score and the HAS-BLED score are helpful in assessing individual risk of thromboembolic and bleeding complications. Herewith, these scores aid in decision-making for anticoagulation and, thereby, improve prognosis of patients with atrial fibrillation.