Risk stratification of patients with atrial fibrillation: Biomarkers and other future perspectives.

Risk stratification of atrial fibrillation (AF) and adequate thromboembolism prophylaxis is the cornerstone of treatment in patients with AF. Current risk stratification schemes such as the CHADS(2) and CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc scores are based on clinical risk factors and suboptimally weight the risk/benefit of anticoagulation. Recently, the potential of biomarkers (troponin and NT-proBNP) in the RE-LY biomarker sub-analysis has been demonstrated. Echocardiography is also being evaluated as a possible approach to improve risk score performance. The authors present an overview on AF risk stratification and discuss future potential developments that may be introduced into our current risk stratification schemes.