ACTION ICU Score for Intensive Care in NSTEMI
Predicts which initially haemodynamically stable NSTEMI patients will develop a complication needing ICU care (cardiac arrest, shock, high-grade AV block, respiratory failure, stroke or death) in hospital. Derived in the ACTION Registry–GWTG; less tested in younger patients.
Score interpretation
ACTION ICU 0–2: observed risk of a complication needing ICU care 3.4–4.9 %.
→ Standard monitored bed. Routine NSTEMI management pathway.
ACTION ICU 3–5: observed risk 5.5–9.3 %.
→ Standard monitored bed with early cardiology review.
ACTION ICU 6–11: observed risk 12–27.7 %.
→ High-dependency unit or close monitoring. Early cardiology review.
ACTION ICU ≥ 12: observed risk 31–39 % of a complication needing ICU care.
→ Admit to coronary care unit (CCU/ICU). Continuous haemodynamic monitoring.
Interpretation bands for the ACTION ICU. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- Fanaroff AC, et al. Risk score to predict need for intensive care in initially hemodynamically stable adults with non–ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction. J Am Heart Assoc. 2018;7(11):e008894.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- HEART Score for Major Adverse Cardiac Events · Chest Pain
- EDACS — Emergency Department Assessment of Chest Pain · Chest Pain
- HEAR Score for Acute Chest Pain · Chest Pain
- Marburg Heart Score · Chest Pain
- INTERCHEST Clinical Prediction Rule · Chest Pain
- Subtle Anterior STEMI Calculator (4-Variable) · Chest Pain
- Methoxyflurane · Inhaled Analgesic — Acute Pain
- Fentanyl Transdermal Patch (Elderly Chronic Pain) · Opioid Analgesic — Transdermal Patch
- Morphine Slow-Release (Elderly Chronic Pain) · Opioid Analgesic — Modified-Release Oral
- Amitriptyline (Neuropathic Pain / Migraine) · Tricyclic Antidepressant / Neuropathic Pain Agent
- Gabapentin · Alpha-2-Delta Ligand — Neuropathic Pain / Epilepsy Adjunct
- Diclofenac (Dysmenorrhoea / Post-gynaecological Procedure) · NSAID — Gynaecological Pain
- Acute Heart Failure · ESC 2021 Heart Failure Guidelines; NICE NG106
- NSTEMI / Unstable Angina · ESC 2020 NSTEMI Guidelines; NICE NG185
- New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation · ESC 2020 AF Guidelines; NICE NG196
- Hypertensive Emergency · ESC/ESH 2018 Hypertension Guidelines; NICE NG136
- Bradycardia Management · Resuscitation Council UK ABCDE; ESC 2021 Pacing Guidelines
- Ventricular Tachycardia / Fibrillation · Resuscitation Council UK ACLS; ESC 2022 Ventricular Arrhythmia Guidelines
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.