Europace : European pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac electrophysiology : journal of the working groups on cardiac pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac cellular electrophysiology of the European Society of Cardiology
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Comparative Study
CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores as predictors of left atrial ablation outcomes for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
The selection of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) that will benefit most by left atrial ablation remains suboptimal. CHADS2 score has been shown to be associated with post-ablation AF recurrences. However, data regarding the CHA2DS2-VASc score are lacking. In addition, there is paucity of data regarding the exact predictive value, in terms of sensitivity and specificity, of each of these scores as to AF recurrence. This study aimed to evaluate the merit of the CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores in predicting arrhythmia recurrence after a single ablation procedure for paroxysmal AF. ⋯ CHA2DS2-VASc score is an independent predictor of left atrial ablation outcomes for paroxysmal AF, with a similar predictive value to CHADS2. However, the predictive accuracy of both is mediocre.
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Cerebral and microvascular perfusion is reduced in atrial fibrillation (AF). Maintenance of brain perfusion is important in acute disease and long-term course. Assessment of brain perfusion and oxygenation is difficult in clinical practice. Our study aimed to determine changes in cerebral tissue oxygen saturation (SctO2) with bedside near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). ⋯ Cerebral tissue oxygen saturation increases significantly after restoration of sinus rhythm. Near-infrared spectroscopy monitoring can identify changes of SctO2 after successful CV of AF independent from standard monitoring parameters (MAP, SaO2). Near-infrared spectroscopy can be used to detect cerebral oxygen saturation deficits in AF patients or patients at high risk for AF. Clinical applications may include monitoring during ablation procedures and in critical care.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASC anticoagulation recommendations: evaluation in a cohort of atrial fibrillation ablation patients.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a high incidence of strokes/thromboembolism. The CHADS2 score assigns points for several clinical variables to identify stroke risk. The CHA2DS2-VASC score uses the same variables but also incorporates age 65 to 74, female gender, and vascular disease in an effort to provide a more refined risk of stroke/thromboembolism. We aimed to examine oral anticoagulation (OAC) recommendations for a cohort of patients undergoing AF ablation depending upon whether thrombo-embolic risk was determined by the CHADS2 or CHA2DS2-VASC score. ⋯ Compared with the CHADS2 score, in our AF ablation population, the CHA2DS2-VASC score markedly increases the number of AF patients for whom OAC is recommended. It will be important to determine by randomized trials if this major paradigm shift to greater use of OAC using the CHA2DS2-VASC scoring improves patient outcomes.