Impact of Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with stable coronary artery disease

Background The association between malnutrition and cardiovascular prognosis in patients with stable coronary artery disease remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), a simple tool to assess nutritional risk, and long-term outcomes after elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods This study consisted of 802 patients (age, 70 ± 10 years, male, 69%) who underwent elective PCI. GNRI was calculated at baseline as follows: GNRI = [14.89 × serum albumin (g/dl) + [41.7 × (body weight/body weight at body mass index of 22)]]. Patients were then divided into three groups as previously reported: GNRI <92, 92 to ≤98, and >98. The endpoint of this study was the composite of cardiac death or non-fatal myocardial infarction. Results During a median follow-up period of 1568 days, 56 cardiac events occurred. Using Kaplan–Meier analysis, the 4-year event-free rates were found to be 79% for GNRI <92, 90% for GNRI 92 to ≤98, and 97% for GNRI >98 (log-rank test p < 0.001). GNRI <92 and GNRI 92 to ≤98 showed 6.76-fold [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.13–14.56, p < 0.001] and 3.03-fold (HR 3.03, 95%CI 1.36–6.78, p = 0.007) increase in the incidences of cardiac death or non-fatal myocardial infarction compared with GNRI >98 after adjusting for confounding factors. Conclusion GNRI significantly associated with cardiac events after elective PCI. Further studies should be performed to establish appropriate therapeutic strategies for this vulnerable patient group.