Is the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) score a reliable source in a rural hospital for the management of unstable anginaon-ST elevated myocardial infarctions (UA/NSTEMI)?

摘要

Background: The Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) score is considered a method for early risk stratification in patients with unstable anginaon-ST elevated myocardial infarctions (UA/NSTEMI). It is composed of seven factors and if present, each factor contributes a value of one point toward the TIMI risk score, making it a simple tool that does not require differential weights for each factor. A higher score implies a higher likelihood of adverse cardiac events and/or risk of mortality. A TIMI risk score ≥3 recommends early invasive management with cardiac angiography and revascularization. As per CDC study in 2014, Americans living in rural areas are more likely to die from leading causes such as cardiovascular diseases. An estimated number 25,000 deaths than their urban counterparts, which coincide with a TIMI risk score of ≥3, potentially limit the utility of the TIMI risk score in risk stratification in rural catherization laboratories. The objective of this study was to assess the reliability of TIMI score as early risk stratification in patients with unstable anginaon-ST elevated myocardial infarctions (UA/NSTEMI) in rural hospital.