A Risk Score for Predicting Stroke or Death in Individuals With New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in the Community

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Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac rhythm disturbance, affecting more than 2 million individuals in the United States.1 As the population ages and the prevalence of cardiovascular disease increases, the prevalence of this arrhythmia is expected to rise.2 Much of the morbidity associated with AF is attributable to a 5- to 6-fold increased risk of stroke.3 Because this stroke risk is variable, numerous studies have attempted to define clinical criteria that may be used to classify participants with AF as being at low or high risk.4-8 Risk stratification may aid in prognostication and in the selection of appropriate candidates for therapies such as warfarin.4,9