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CHA₂DS₂-VASc

acronym

/ˈtʃædz væsk/

Cardiology

Definition

1.Estimates stroke risk in atrial fibrillation.

Expansion

  1. CCongestive heart failure — 1 point
  2. HHypertension — 1 point
  3. A₂Age ≥ 75 — 2 points
  4. DDiabetes mellitus — 1 point
  5. S₂Stroke / TIA / thromboembolism — 2 points
  6. VVascular disease — 1 point — prior MI, PAD, aortic plaque
  7. AAge 65–74 — 1 point
  8. ScSex category (female) — 1 point

Notes

The score weighs the risk of stroke in non-valvular AF and guides anticoagulation. A common threshold: offer anticoagulation at ≥2 in men or ≥3 in women, and consider it at 1 in men.

Balance it against bleeding risk — assessed with tools like ORBIT or HAS-BLED — before committing to a DOAC or warfarin.

Origin

An evolution of the older CHADS₂ score, with the high-risk items earning double.