Prognostic Value of a Composite Inflammation–Renal Function Score in Type A Aortic Dissection

TL;DR

A new score combining inflammation and kidney function helps predict outcomes in aortic dissection patients.

Contribution

A novel composite inflammation–renal function score (SCr) is introduced as a prognostic tool for type A aortic dissection.

Findings

Higher SCr scores correlate with increased mortality risk in TAAD patients.

SCr scores are independent predictors of both long-term survival and in-hospital mortality.

A nomogram incorporating SCr shows strong performance in predicting patient outcomes.

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Systemic inflammation and renal dysfunction play a central role in the progression and prognosis of type A aortic dissection (TAAD). This study evaluated the SCr score, a composite index combining the systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) and serum creatinine, to assess its prognostic value postoperatively. Materials and Methods: Clinical data from 299 surgically treated TAAD patients were retrospectively analyzed. SCr scores were stratified into three levels using optimal cutoffs. Survival differences were examined using Kaplan–Meier curves. Independent predictors of overall survival (OS) and in-hospital mortality (IHM) were identified through multivariable Cox and logistic regression, respectively. A prognostic nomogram integrating SCr and significant clinical variables was developed, and model performance was evaluated and compared with previously published models. Results: Higher SCr scores were associated with a progressively increased mortality risk. In multivariable Cox analysis, both SCr scores of 1 and 2 emerged as independent predictors of worse long-term survival, with SCr = 2 demonstrating a particularly strong association (hazard ratio (HR) = 4.408, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.786–10.881; p = 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, SCr scores remained an independent predictor of IHM (SCr = 1: odds ratio (OR) = 3.066, 95% CI: 1.032–9.102; SCr = 2: OR = 4.811, 95% CI: 1.081–21.409; p < 0.05 for both). A prognostic nomogram based on the SCr score and other clinical variables achieved strong discrimination for OS (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.845) and IHM (AUC: 0.821). Conclusions: The SCr score was independently associated with preoperative risk in patients with TAAD. An SCr-incorporating nomogram demonstrated favorable discriminative performance for predicting overall survival and in-hospital mortality. These findings suggest that SCr-based assessment may provide complementary information and assist in the identification of high-risk patients within established clinical assessment frameworks.

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