Review Article

Fallacies and Possible Remedies of the SYNTAX Score

Table 2

Differences and similarities with respect to criteria and definitions between the SYNTAX score and CatLet score.

ItemsValues

CalculatorsCatLet scoreSYNTAX score
1. Underlying mechanismWeighted matrix#Leaman score
2. Dominance selection
 RCA dominance6 types2 types
 Dx size3 typesNA
 LAD length3 typesNA
3. Lesion definitionAs in the SYNTAX≥50% diameter stenosis on vessels >1.5 mm
4. Multiplication factorAs in the SYNTAX5.0 for occlusion
2.0 for nonocclusion
5. Lesion types6 types2 types
 Native nonocclusion (50–99% diameter reduction)YesYes
 Native acute total occlusion (ATO)YesYes
 Native chronic total occlusion (CTO)YesYes
 In-stent nonocclusionYesNA
 In-stent ATOYesNA
 In-stent CTOYesNA
6. Scoring modificationYes if appropriateNo
7. Culprit vesselsIndicatedNo
8. TrifurcationYes/noScored
9. BifurcationYes/noScored
10. Aorta ostial lesionYes/noScored
11. Severe tortuosityYes/noScored
12. Length >20 mmYes/noScored
13. Heavy calcificationYes/noScored
16. ThrombusYes/noScored
17. Diffuse disease/small vesselsDiscardedScored

Notes: CatLet = Coronary Artery Tree description and Lesion EvaluaTion; SYNTAX = Synergy between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery; RCA = right coronary artery; LAD = left anterior descending artery; Dx = diagonals; NA = not available. #See reference [16].