Zhang F, Bharadwaj A, Mohamed MO, et al. - Researchers investigated the influence of comorbidity burden on the receipt of invasive management and subsequent outcomes of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. From the National Inpatient Sample (2004-2014), ACS cases stratified by Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) into 4 groups (CCI 0, 1, 2 and ≥ 3) were studied. CCI class was shown to be independently related to an increased risk of death and complications, particularly CCI ≥ 3 that was identified to be related to significantly elevated odds of MACCE, death, acute ischemic stroke and major bleeding. Experts found a correlation of comorbidity burden with decreased chance of receiving invasive management and increased odds of death and adverse consequences. Overall, objective evaluation of comorbidities applying CCI score enabled the identification of high-risk ACS patients in whom targeted risk reduction strategies may be beneficial in terms of attenuating their inherent risk of death and complications.

objective assessment of comorbidities using CCI score identifies high-risk ACS patients in whom targeted risk reduction strategies may reduce their inherent risk of mortality and complications.