ACTION ICU Score for Intensive Care in NSTEMI
Predicts need for intensive care (haemodynamic/respiratory support or death) in NSTEMI within 48 hours.
Score interpretation
ACTION ICU 0–2: Low risk for ICU-level events within 48 hours.
→ Standard monitored bed. Routine NSTEMI management pathway.
ACTION ICU 3–4: Intermediate risk for haemodynamic/respiratory compromise.
→ High-dependency unit or close monitoring. Early cardiology review.
ACTION ICU ≥5: High risk for requiring ICU-level care within 48 hours.
→ Admit to coronary care unit (CCU/ICU). Continuous haemodynamic monitoring.
Interpretation bands for the ACTION ICU. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- Amsterdam EA et al. Testing of Low-Risk Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department With Chest Pain. Circulation. 2010;122(17):1756-1776.
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.