Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 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

Correlation between CHADS2 score and anticoagulant use in atrial fibrillation: Results of a mini-survey

Gerry Cartman1, Mark Blostein, Mark J Eisenberg

  • 1Department of Professional Services, Sir Mortimer B Davis Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec.

Experimental and Clinical Cardiology
|August 14, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Higher CHADS2 scores correlate with increased anticoagulant use in atrial fibrillation patients. Unexpectedly high anticoagulation in low-risk patients was linked to cardioversion, where rhythm control decreased with higher CHADS2 scores.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Quality assurance in atrial fibrillation (AF) management hinges on appropriate anticoagulation.
  • The CHADS2 score is a standard tool for stratifying thromboembolic risk and guiding anticoagulation decisions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the correlation between increasing thromboembolic risk (CHADS2 score) and the rate of anticoagulant prescription in AF patients.
  • To explore anticoagulation patterns in low-risk patients and their relationship with cardioversion.
  • To examine the association between CHADS2 score and rhythm control success during cardioversion.

Main Methods:

  • A mini-survey was conducted to assess anticoagulant prescription rates.
  • Correlation coefficients (r) were calculated to quantify relationships between variables.
  • Analysis included subgroup examination of cardioverted patients.

Main Results:

  • A significant positive correlation (r=0.8) was observed between CHADS2 score and anticoagulant prescription rates.
  • Anticoagulant use was higher than anticipated in patients with a CHADS2 score of 0.
  • In cardioverted patients, a strong negative correlation (r=-0.89) was found between CHADS2 score and the rate of successful rhythm control.

Conclusions:

  • Anticoagulant prescribing generally aligns with thromboembolic risk as indicated by the CHADS2 score.
  • Pre-cardioversion anticoagulation in low-risk AF patients contributes to higher-than-expected anticoagulant use.
  • The inverse relationship between CHADS2 score and rhythm control success in cardioverted patients warrants further research.

Keywords:
AnticoagulationAtrial fibrillationCardioversion, CHADS2 scoreQuality assurance in cardiology

More Related Videos

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation23:33

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 28, 2012

Related Concept Videos

Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants01:18

Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants

Oral anticoagulants are vital tools in preventing and treating blood clotting disorders. This diverse class of medications can be categorized as vitamin K antagonists, exemplified by warfarin, and direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs), such as dabigatran, as well as factor Xa inhibitors, including rivaroxaban.
Warfarin, a prominent vitamin K antagonist family member, exerts its effect by inhibiting the enzyme VKORC1 (vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1). By hindering this enzyme, warfarin...
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins01:30

Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins

Hemostasis is a crucial process that prevents excessive blood loss from damaged blood vessels. It involves various mechanisms such as vasoconstriction, platelet adhesion and activation, and fibrin formation. The importance of each mechanism depends on the type of vessel injury. In contrast, thrombosis is the abnormal formation of a blood clot within the blood vessels, leading to potential complications if the clot obstructs blood flow. Thrombosis can be caused by increased coagulability of the...
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies01:30

Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies

Diagnosing acute coronary syndrome or ACS begins with a thorough patient history. Notable symptoms include central, crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm, neck, jaw, or back, along with shortness of breath, sweating (diaphoresis), nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and palpitations.It is crucial to note any history of cardiac illnesses and assess risk factors, including age, gender, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and a sedentary lifestyle.During physical examination, vital...
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT01:25

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT

Calcium-Scoring CT ScanA calcium-scoring CT scan, also known as coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan, detects calcium deposits in the coronary arteries. This test assesses the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to cardiovascular events such as angina, heart failure, and sudden cardiac arrest.A calcium-scoring CT scan is generally recommended for individuals at intermediate risk of CAD without symptoms. It includes:Men aged 40-75 and women aged 50-75: Especially those with a...
Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:20

Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key difference between Superficial Vein Thrombosis (SVT) and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) lies in their location and severity.Clinical ManifestationsSVT typically presents with localized pain, tenderness, and redness along the course of a superficial vein, often accompanied by a palpable, cord-like structure under the skin. This condition is usually less dangerous than DVT but can be uncomfortable and may lead to complications such as cellulitis or, rarely, a clot extension into the deep...
Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(two-step method)01:23

Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(two-step method)

Measuring blood pressure is a fundamental skill in healthcare that aids in diagnosing and monitoring hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions. An aneroid sphygmomanometer, commonly used in clinical settings, offers a manual and precise method for blood pressure measurement. The technique for using this instrument involves specific steps that must be carefully executed to ensure accuracy. The following detailed description outlines a two-step technique for assessing blood pressure using...