AIMS: The CHA2DS2-VASc score is widely used to stratify the risk of stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. The aim of the study was to assess whether the CHA2DS2-VASc score might be useful to identify patients at a high risk of ischemic stroke and death among individuals after acute myocardial infarction and with no history of atrial fibrillation. METHODS: We analysed consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted to our centre between 2003 and 2008. On the basis of the CHA2DS2-VASc score, four groups were distinguished: low-risk (1 point), intermediate-risk (2-3 points), high-risk (4-5 points) and very high-risk (>5 points). Data on long-term follow-up were screened to identify patients who experienced stroke or died during remote observation. RESULTS: Out of 2980 registry participants, 333 were excluded because of atrial fibrillation and/or ongoing therapy with oral anticoagulants. Finally, 2647 individuals were included into the analysis. An ischemic stroke occurred in 71 (2.68%) patients, whereas 439 (16.58%) died during a median follow-up of 41.5 months. The risk of stroke and death increased four-fold in the high-risk group compared with the low-risk group (P < 0.001). Every point in the CHA2DS2-VASc score was independently associated with 41% increase in stroke risk and 23% increase in mortality rate (for both P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The mortality rate and risk of stroke were strongly associated with the CHA2DS2-VASc scores. Hence, this scoring system could be useful to identify high-risk patients with no history of atrial fibrillation, in whom additional preventive measures might be beneficial to improve the outcome.
AIMS: The CHA2DS2-VASc score is widely used to stratify the risk of stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. The aim of the study was to assess whether the CHA2DS2-VASc score might be useful to identify patients at a high risk of ischemic stroke and death among individuals after acute myocardial infarction and with no history of atrial fibrillation. METHODS: We analysed consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted to our centre between 2003 and 2008. On the basis of the CHA2DS2-VASc score, four groups were distinguished: low-risk (1 point), intermediate-risk (2-3 points), high-risk (4-5 points) and very high-risk (>5 points). Data on long-term follow-up were screened to identify patients who experienced stroke or died during remote observation. RESULTS: Out of 2980 registry participants, 333 were excluded because of atrial fibrillation and/or ongoing therapy with oral anticoagulants. Finally, 2647 individuals were included into the analysis. An ischemic stroke occurred in 71 (2.68%) patients, whereas 439 (16.58%) died during a median follow-up of 41.5 months. The risk of stroke and death increased four-fold in the high-risk group compared with the low-risk group (P < 0.001). Every point in the CHA2DS2-VASc score was independently associated with 41% increase in stroke risk and 23% increase in mortality rate (for both P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The mortality rate and risk of stroke were strongly associated with the CHA2DS2-VASc scores. Hence, this scoring system could be useful to identify high-risk patients with no history of atrial fibrillation, in whom additional preventive measures might be beneficial to improve the outcome.