Coronary angiographic scoring systems to predict prognosis of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, contributing to nearly 1.8 million deaths annually. Quantifying the severity of CAD is essential for risk stratification and managing CAD patients. The degree of CAD can affect a patient's chances of receiving medical care or going straight for revascularization. Revascularization may be more beneficial for patients with more severe CAD, but they also have a worse prognosis. There is a correlation between the severity of CAD and a higher risk of complications during revascularization treatment. Clinical outcomes after acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) can be predicted by the final infarct size, determined by the complex interplay of several factors, including the duration of myocardial ischemia, the presence of collateral blood supply, reperfusion injury, and the jeopardized left ventricular myocardium. Therapies aimed at restoring myocardial perfusion and/or limiting damage, either mechanically or pharmacologically, can be assessed by measuring the absolute final infarct size. Coronary angiography is still the preferred method for diagnosing and treating CAD; therefore, various angiographic scoring systems have been suggested to quantify the severity of CAD. However, the existing angiographic scores vary in their ease of use, applicability, and level of predictive validity, thus warranting further studies in the future.