SYNTAX score
An angiographic scoring system used to grade the complexity of coronary artery disease and guide treatment decisions.
Full Definition
The SYNTAX score is a comprehensive angiographic scoring tool that quantifies the complexity of coronary artery disease based on lesion location, severity, and morphologic characteristics. It assigns numerical values to various anatomical and lesion-specific factors, with higher scores indicating more complex disease. The score helps clinicians decide between percutaneous coronary intervention and surgical revascularization, particularly in patients with left main or three-vessel disease. SYNTAX scores are typically categorized as low (≤22), intermediate (23-32), or high (≥33), with different treatment recommendations for each category.
Usage
Usage note: SYNTAX is not an acronym and should be written in all capitals; score is lowercase.
In Context
- "The patient's SYNTAX score of 28 places him in the intermediate-risk category for surgical consideration." — Cardiothoracic surgery consultation note
- "Current guidelines recommend calculating the SYNTAX score for all patients with complex coronary disease." — Clinical practice guideline