CHADS2 Score
The CHADS2 score is a clinical prediction rule for estimating the risk of stroke in patients with non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation (AF), a common and serious heart arrhythmia associated with thromboembolic stroke. It is used to determine whether or not treatment is required with anticoagulation therapy or antiplatelet therapy, since AF can cause stasis of blood in the upper heart chambers, leading to the formation of a mural thrombus that can dislodge into the blood flow, reach the brain, cut off supply to the brain, and cause a stroke. A high CHADS2 score corresponds to a greater risk of stroke, while a low CHADS2 score corresponds to a lower risk of stroke. The CHADS2 score is simple and has been validated by many studies.
The CHADS2 scoring table is shown above: adding together the points that correspond to the conditions that are present results in the CHADS2 score, that is used to estimate stroke risk.
In clinical use, the CHADS2 score has been superseded by the CHA2DS2-VASc score that gives a better stratification of low-risk patients.
Read more about CHADS2 Score: Stroke Risk Assessment, and Antithrombotic Therapy, Anticoagulation, CHA2DS2-VASc
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