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Updated: May 11, 2026

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
28:13

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 26, 2013

[Thromboembolic and bleeding risk assessment in patients with non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation using CHA2DS2-VASc

Ivona Bozić1, Ivana Cvitković, Vedran Carević

  • 1Klinika za unutarnje bolesti Medicinskog fakulteta Sveucilista u Splitu, KBC Split.

Lijecnicki Vjesnik
|May 16, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation (nAF) affects 1-2% of the global population, with stroke being a major complication. Risk assessment tools like CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED aid in deciding on anticoagulant therapy to prevent stroke.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Pharmacology

Context:

  • Non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation (nAF) affects 1-2% of the global population.
  • Thromboembolic events, particularly ischemic stroke, are the most frequent and severe complications of nAF.
  • nAF patients experiencing stroke have higher mortality and poorer recovery compared to those in sinus rhythm.

Purpose:

  • To highlight the importance of anticoagulant therapy in nAF patients for stroke prevention.
  • To address the underutilization of anticoagulants due to bleeding concerns.
  • To introduce risk assessment tools for guiding thromboprophylactic decisions in nAF.

Summary:

  • Anticoagulant therapy significantly reduces stroke incidence in nAF patients and improves outcomes for those who experience stroke.
  • Despite guidelines recommending anticoagulation for most nAF patients, it is often withheld due to fear of bleeding.
  • The CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scoring systems are presented for assessing thromboembolic and bleeding risks, respectively, to inform thromboprophylaxis.

Impact:

  • Optimizing anticoagulant use in nAF can reduce stroke burden, mortality, and long-term disability.
  • Accurate risk stratification using CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED can improve patient selection for anticoagulation.
  • Evidence-based risk assessment supports adherence to guidelines and enhances patient safety in nAF management.

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