Predictive Value of Lung Ultrasound Combined With ACEF Score for the Prognosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background

Lung ultrasound (LUS) and the ACEF score (age, creatinine, and ejection fraction) have been shown to be pivotal in predicting an unfavorable prognosis in acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Hypothesis

The aim of this study is to investigate the prognostic value of LUS combined with ACEF score in AMI.

Methods

The ACEF score and the total number of B-lines in eight thoracic regions of LUS were calculated. Adverse events were recorded during hospitalization and follow-up, defined as all-cause death and other cardiovascular events. Multivariate logistic regression identified predictors of adverse events during hospitalization. Multivariate Cox regression identified predictors of adverse events during follow-up.

Results

We enrolled 204 patients. The B-lines (adjusted OR 1.08, [95% CI: 1.03–1.13], p < 0.01) and the ACEF score (adjusted OR 2.71 [95% CI: 1.07–6.81], p < 0.05) independently predicted adverse events during hospitalization. The C-index values were 0.81 (p < 0.01) for the ACEF score, 0.81 (p < 0.01) for LUS, and 0.86 (p < 0.01) for their combination. One hundred seventy-one patients were followed up for 12 months (IQR, 8.13–15.93). Both the B-lines (adjusted HR 1.06 [95% CI: 1.03–1.09], p < 0.05) and the ACEF score (adjusted HR 1.95 [95% CI: 1.10–3.43], p < 0.05) remained associated with an increased risk of adverse events during follow-up. The C-index values were 0.74 (p < 0.01) for the ACEF score, 0.73 (p < 0.01) for LUS, and 0.80 (p < 0.01) for their combined predictive ability.

Conclusions

The B-lines and ACEF score are associated with adverse events in AMI patients. When combined, they provide increasing value in assessing the risk of adverse events, which has significant implications for risk stratification.