title: Reproducibility of syntax score: from core lab to real world.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Syntax score is a significant tool in the management of complex coronary artery disease (CAD). This score is based on visual assessment of coronary lesions via coronary angiograms. It has some limitations due to its visual assessment. Therefore, interobserver and intraobserver agreement should be tested.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred twenty-two coronary angiograms were examined, and 76 in whom critical lesions were detected in the coronary arteries were included the study. Coronary angiograms were assessed by 2 independent interventional cardiologists. After 8 weeks, the same interventional cardiologists reassessed coronary angiograms by randomly choosing 30 patients from the first analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For numeric Syntax score value, both interobserver and intraobserver variability shows perfect agreement but interobserver variability shows high mean difference. Syntax score was analyzed in terms of tertiles (≤22, >22 -≤32, >32), it has moderate agreement for interobserver variability (weighted kappa value of 0.56) and substantial agreement for intraobserver variability (weighted kappa value of 0.69).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Syntax score reproducibility is within acceptable limits in real world clinical practice and it may become a significant tool in complex CAD management. (J Interven Cardiol 2011;24:302-306).
authors: Department of Cardiology, Erzurum Education and Research Hospital, Turkey. haliltanboga@yahoo.com
authors: Ibrahim H
authors: IH
authors: Tanboga
authors: Mehmet
authors: M
authors: Ekinci
authors: Turgay
authors: T
authors: Isik
authors: Mustafa
authors: M
authors: Kurt
authors: Ahmet
authors: A
authors: Kaya
authors: Serdar
authors: S
authors: Sevimli
mesh_terms: D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D015588:Observer Variation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index