Is CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc Score Different in Patients with Non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation Suffering from Cerebral and Non-cerebral Thromboembolism?CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc Score in Thromboembolism.

BACKGROUND: Thromboembolic complication is directly related to CHA2 DS2 -VASc score in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). In this study we compared the CHA2 DS2 -VASc score and in-hospital mortality between NVAF patients with non-cerebral thromboembolism and those with stroke.

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 213 patients with NVAF who experienced stroke and 115 patients with NVAF who experienced non-cerebral thromboembolism between 2010 and 2015. In all patients, CHA2 DS2 -VASc score before the event was calculated.

RESULTS: The mean CHA2 DS2 -VASc score was similar in patients with stroke (4.52±1.66) and those with non-cerebral thromboembolism (4.29±2.02) (p=0.196). In-hospital mortality rate was similar between the groups (19% vs. 17%, p=0.756). The rates of coronary artery disease (52% vs. 38%, p=0.014), prior transient ischemic attack (16% vs. 5%, p=0.001), and prior non-cerebral thromboembolism (18% vs. 3%, p<0.001) were higher in patients with non-cerebral thromboembolism. Warfarin (55% vs. 14% p<0.001) and antiplatelet use (56% vs. 40%, p=0.004) was more common in the non-cerebral embolism group, while non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) use was more common in the stroke group (15% vs. 7% p=0.026).

CONCLUSION: The patients with stroke had similar CHA2 DS2 -VASc score and in-hospital mortality compared to patients with non-cerebral thromboembolism.