CHA2DS2–VASc 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 score does not include some common stroke risk factors and its various pros/cons have been carefully discussed. The CHADS₂ scoring table is shown below: adding together the points that correspond to the conditions that are present results in the CHADS₂ score, that is used to estimate stroke risk.