Machine Learning–Enhanced TCAB Score for Predicting Postoperative Ischemic Stroke After CABG

Journal of the American Heart Association, Volume 15, Issue 6 , March 17, 2026. BackgroundPostoperative acute ischemic stroke remains a critical complication of coronary artery bypass grafting.

This study aimed to develop a novel Total Cerebral Atherosclerosis Burden (TCAB) score for predicting the risk of AIS post‐coronary artery bypass grafting.MethodsA prospective cohort of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting was enrolled. The TCAB score was calculated by summing stenosis severity grades (0: 3 predicted in‐hospital ischemic stroke with an area under the curve of 0.756.

Across all 3 multivariable models, higher TCAB scores remained independently associated with in‐hospital ischemic stroke (Model 3: odds ratio [OR]=1.089,P=0.011), 1‐year ischemic stroke (OR=1.093,P=0.011), and 1‐year major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (OR=1.068,P=0.020). The gradient boosting machine achieved the most stable predictive ability (area under the curve=0.8736 for in‐hospital ischemic stroke; 0.8575 for 1‐year ischemic stroke; 0.7475 for 1‐year major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events).ConclusionsThe TCAB score, enhanced by machine learning, effectively predicted in‐hospital ischemic stroke, 1‐year ischemic stroke, and 1‐year major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events post‐coronary artery bypass grafting.