CHA2DS2VASc Score Can Predict Mortality, CV Risk in Patients Without AF

The CHA₂DS₂VASc score, used to evaluate the risk of thromboembolic events in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF), can be a sensitive tool to predict new-onset AF and risk stratification of major adverse cardio- and cerebrovascular events in individuals with and without prevalent or incident AF, according to a study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

Investigators analyzed data from a Swedish registry of 22,179 people with (n=3542) and without (n=18,367) a history of AF. The population-based prospective cohort included middle-aged participants (mean age, 63±7 years; 39% men). The researchers grouped the participants into 5 groups by CHA₂DS₂VASc scores (0, 1, 2, 3, and ≥4) and compared the risk for major adverse cerebrocardiovascular events and mortality. The annual incidence of AF across different CHA₂DS₂VASc groups was also analyzed. The median (interquartile range) follow-up periods for the entire cohort, AF, and no-AF groups were 15 (3), 15 (4) and 15 (3) years, respectively.

The study results show that the CHA₂DS₂VASc score can predict the risk of incident AF and also help in quantifying the mortality and cardiovascular risk in middle-aged adults without AF. The investigators found that a score of ≥4 in people without AF was associated with a 5-year absolute risk for ischemic stroke similar to the risk associated with a CHA₂DS₂VASc score of 2 in people with AF.

Also, a score of ≥4 points toward an ischemic stroke rate greater than 0.9% per year among people without AF, which is equivalent to the previously proposed threshold for the safe prescription of nonvitamin K oral anticoagulants in patients with AF.

In multivariable Cox regression analysis, CHA₂DS₂VASc_≥2 was an independent predictor of all-cause death (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 2.58; 95% CI, 2.42-2.76), cardiovascular death (aHR, 3.40; 95% CI, 2.98-3.89), ischemic stroke (aHR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.92-2.53) and coronary events (aHR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.63-2.04). The cumulative incidence of AF rose with increasing CHA₂DS₂VASc strata, with an absolute annual incidence of 2.5% per year for CHA₂DS₂VASc scores ≥4.

Although this study included a large population and extensive follow-up periods, it has important limitations. The investigators noted that the study lacked prospective reappraisal of CHA₂DS₂VASc risk factors and assessment of oral antithrombotic therapy during follow-up. Also, there were information gaps regarding the AF classification, bleeding events, and the precise indications for baseline antithrombotic treatment in patients without AF.

The investigators concluded that the significantly high risk for ischemic stroke observed in participants with CHA₂DS₂VASc scores ≥4 without AF may form basic evidence for a future randomized clinical trial to test the safety and efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants for the primary prevention of atherothrombotic events. 

Reference

Renda G, Ricci F, Patti G et al. CHA₂DS₂VASc score and adverse outcomes in middle-aged individuals without atrial fibrillation [published online August 14, 2019]. Eur J Prev Cardiol. doi:10.1177/2047487319868320