The American journal of medicine
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The Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age ≥ 75 years, Diabetes mellitus, Stroke (CHADS(2)) score is used to predict the need for oral anticoagulation for stroke prophylaxis in patients with atrial fibrillation. The Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age ≥ 75 years, Diabetes mellitus, Stroke, Vascular disease, Age 65-74 years, Sex category (CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc) schema has been proposed as an improvement. Our objective is to determine how adoption of the CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score alters anticoagulation recommendations. ⋯ Compared with the CHADS(2) score, the CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score more clearly defines anticoagulation recommendations. Many patients, particularly older women, are redistributed from the low- to high-risk categories.