Relationship between CHADS2 score and complex aortic plaques by transesophageal echocardiography in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Medical Imaging
• Thrombosis Research

Background:

• The CHADS2 score is a standard tool for assessing thromboembolic risk in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).
• Previous research linked CHADS2 scores to left atrial abnormalities, but the association with complex aortic plaque, another thromboembolism risk factor, remains underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between the CHADS2 score and the presence of complex aortic plaques in patients with NVAF.
• To determine if CHADS2 score independently predicts complex aortic plaque formation in this patient cohort.

Main Methods:

• Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was used to assess aortic plaques in 150 NVAF patients aged 55 years or older.
• Statistical analyses, including multivariate analysis, were performed to evaluate the association between CHADS2 score, atherosclerotic risk factors, left atrial abnormality, and complex aortic plaques.

Main Results:

• A significant positive correlation was observed between increasing CHADS2 scores and the prevalence of complex aortic plaques (p = 0.001).
• Multivariate analysis revealed that a CHADS2 score of 2 or higher was an independent predictor of complex aortic plaques (OR 3.39; 95% CI, 1.29-8.90), even after accounting for other risk factors.

Conclusions:

• Elevated CHADS2 scores are strongly associated with the presence of complex aortic plaques in NVAF patients.
• This association may partially elucidate the mechanism behind the heightened thromboembolic risk observed in NVAF patients with high CHADS2 scores.