GRACE score
Also written as: GRACE — Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events
A validated risk assessment tool predicting mortality in patients with acute coronary syndromes.
Full Definition
The GRACE score is a widely validated risk stratification tool that estimates short-term and long-term mortality risk in patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes. The score incorporates multiple variables including age, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, serum creatinine, cardiac biomarkers, cardiac arrest at presentation, ST-segment deviation, and Killip class. GRACE scores help clinicians make evidence-based decisions about treatment intensity, timing of invasive procedures, and discharge planning. Higher scores correlate with increased mortality risk and guide more aggressive management strategies.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalize GRACE; include numerical score for clinical utility.
In Context
- "The patient's GRACE score of 154 indicated high risk, prompting early invasive management." — Emergency department note
- "GRACE scores above 140 are associated with significantly increased mortality in NSTEMI patients." — Clinical guidelines