The Value of the European Society of Cardiology Guidelines for Refining Stroke Risk Stratification in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Categorized as Low Risk Using the Anticoagulation and Risk Factors in Atrial Fibrillation Stroke Score

Patients categorized as low risk using an ATRIA score 0 to 5 are not necessarily low risk, with 1-year event rates as high as 36.94 per 100 person-years. Thus, the stroke risk stratification scheme recommended in the ESC guidelines (based on the CHA2DS2-VASc score) would be best at identifying the “truly low risk” subjects with AF who do not need any antithrombotic therapy.