AIMS65 score for upper GI bleeding mortality

The AIMS65 score is a clinical calculator used to predict mortality in patients with upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. The acronym AIMS65 stands for Albumin, International normalized ratio (INR), altered Mental status, Systolic blood pressure, and age 65 years or older. Each of these five factors is assigned one point, and the total score ranges from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating a higher risk of mortality. This scoring system is applicable to patients presenting with upper GI bleeding, regardless of the cause. It is particularly useful in the emergency department or inpatient setting to stratify patients based on their risk of mortality, which can guide management decisions such as the need for hospital admission, intensive care, or urgent endoscopy. There are no specific exclusion criteria for the use of the AIMS65 score. However, it may be less accurate in patients with lower GI bleeding or in those with non-bleeding upper GI disorders. It should also be used with caution in patients with chronic liver disease, as the INR may be elevated in these patients independent of their bleeding risk.

Reference

John R Saltzman, Ying P Tabak, Brian H Hyett et al. A simple risk score accurately predicts in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and cost in acute upper GI bleeding. Gastrointest Endosc. 2011 Dec;74(6):1215-24.