GRACE Score

Calculate the GRACE Risk Score to predict mortality in acute coronary syndrome.

About GRACE Score

The GRACE (Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events) Risk Score is a validated tool for predicting in-hospital and 6-month mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

The score uses 8 clinical variables to calculate risk, with total scores ranging from 0-372 points. It has been extensively validated across diverse patient populations and provides accurate risk stratification.

The GRACE score helps clinicians make informed decisions about treatment intensity, timing of invasive procedures, and discharge planning. Lower scores indicate patients suitable for early discharge, while higher scores identify those requiring urgent intervention and intensive monitoring.

Related Topics

  • Acute Coronary Syndrome
  • Myocardial Infarction
  • Killip Classification
  • Cardiovascular Risk Stratification
  • Cardiac Biomarkers
  • Early Invasive Therapy

Scientific References

  1. 1.Fox KA, Dabbous OH, Goldberg RJ, et al. Prediction of risk of death and myocardial infarction in the six months after presentation with acute coronary syndrome: prospective multinational observational study (GRACE). BMJ. 2006;333(7578):1091.
  2. 2.Granger CB, Goldberg RJ, Dabbous O, et al. Predictors of hospital mortality in the global registry of acute coronary events. Arch Intern Med. 2003;163(19):2345-2353.
  3. 3.Eagle KA, Lim MJ, Dabbous OH, et al. A validated prediction model for all forms of acute coronary syndrome: estimating the risk of 6-month postdischarge death in an international registry. JAMA. 2004;291(22):2727-2733.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the GRACE Score?

The GRACE (Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events) Score is a validated risk stratification tool that predicts in-hospital and 6-month mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). It uses 8 readily available clinical variables to calculate risk.

How is the GRACE Score calculated?

The GRACE score uses 8 variables: age, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, serum creatinine, Killip class, cardiac arrest at admission, ST segment deviation on ECG, and elevated cardiac markers. Each variable receives a specific point value, and the total can range from 0 to 372 points.

What do the GRACE Score results mean?

Score ≤108: Low risk (hospital mortality <1%, 6-month <3%). Score 109-140: Intermediate risk (hospital mortality 1-3%, 6-month 3-8%). Score >140: High risk (hospital mortality >3%, 6-month >8%). These values guide decisions about treatment strategy and timing of intervention.

When should the GRACE Score be used?

The GRACE score should be used in all patients with suspected or confirmed acute coronary syndrome, including ST-elevation and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI and NSTEMI) and unstable angina. It is particularly useful for decisions about early cardiac catheterization.

What is the difference between GRACE and TIMI?

Both are scores for acute coronary syndrome, but GRACE provides more accurate prediction of mortality and has been validated for all forms of ACS. TIMI is simpler (7 binary variables) and was developed specifically for NSTEMI and unstable angina. GRACE is preferred by many international guidelines.