Stroke due to atrial fibrillation in a population‐based stroke registry (<scp>L</scp>udwigshafen Stroke Study) <scp>CHADS</scp>₂, <scp>CHA</scp>₂<scp>DS</scp>₂‐<scp>VAS</scp>c score, underuse of oral anticoagulation, and implications for preventive measures

Abstract

Our study strongly supports the hypothesis that underuse of oral anticoagulants in high-risk patients importantly contributes to AF-associated stroke. CHA(2) DS(2) -VASc score appears to be a more valuable risk stratification tool than CHADS(2) score. Preventive measures should focus on optimizing pre-stroke detection of AF and better implementation of present AF-guidelines with respect to anticoagulation therapy.