Advances in stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation: enhanced risk stratification combined with the newer oral anticoagulants.

ABSTRACT: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have an increased stroke risk compared with those in sinus rhythm, although the absolute risk for individual patients is modulated by the presence of various additional risk factors. Patient selection for oral anticoagulation for stroke prevention is based on risks of stroke and bleeding. Although CHADS2 (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 years, diabetes mellitus, stroke or transient ischemic attack) is the most widely used scheme for evaluating stroke risk in patients with AF, several other stroke risk factors are not included; therefore, many patients' stroke risk may be underestimated, contributing to the underuse of anticoagulants. Furthermore, a substantial proportion of patients are categorized as being at moderate risk (CHADS2 = 1

SUBMITTER: Verheugt FW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6649625 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature