Baseline CHA₂ DS₂ -VASc score and prognosis in octogenarians with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome

CHA₂ DS₂ -VASc Score is widely used to predict thromboembolic risk in patients with Atrial Fibrillation (AF). We sought to study if this score predicts outcomes in elderly patients with Non-ST segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes (NSTEACS).

The multicenter LONGEVO-SCA prospective registry included 532 unselected patients with NSTEACS aged ≥80 years. Data to calculate CHA₂ DS₂ -VASc Score were available in 523 patients (98.3%). They were classified according to CHA₂ DS₂ -VASc Score: group 1 (score ≤ 4), and 2 (5-9). We studied outcomes in terms of mortality or readmission at 6 months follow-up.

A total of 266 patients (51%) had a high CHA₂ DS₂ -VASc Score (group 2). They were more often women, with more cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension or diabetes mellitus, and history of previous stroke and cardiovascular disease and heart failure (all, P = .001). Geriatric syndromes (Barthel Index, Lawton Brody, cognitive impairment, and frailty) and Charlson Index were worse in this group (all, P = .001). They had poorer clinical status on admission, with worse Killip class and lower left ventricle ejection fraction (all, P = .001), and developed new-onset AF more often during admission (12.4% vs. 6.6%, P = .024). At six months follow-up, patients in group 2 had higher reinfarction, all-cause mortality, and mortality or readmission rates. A CHA₂ DS₂ -VASc Score > 4 was associated with mortality or readmission at 6 months (HR 2.07, P < .001). However, after adjusting for potential confounders, this last association was not significant (P = .175).

A CHA₂ DS₂ -VASc Score > 4 is present in half of octogenarians with NSTEACS and is associated with poorer outcomes. However, it is not an independent predictor of events and should not replace recommended tools for risk prediction in this setting.