CHA2DS2-VASc
Pronunciation: CHAD-two-D-S-two-VAS-C
Also written as: CHA2DS2-VASc — Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age ≥75, Diabetes, Stroke, Vascular disease, Age 65-74, Sex category
Risk stratification tool for stroke risk in atrial fibrillation patients.
Full Definition
The CHA2DS2-VASc score is a clinical prediction rule used to estimate the yearly risk of stroke in patients with non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation. It assigns points for various risk factors: congestive heart failure (1 point), hypertension (1), age 75 or older (2), diabetes (1), prior stroke or TIA (2), vascular disease (1), age 65-74 (1), and female sex (1). The total score guides anticoagulation decisions, with higher scores indicating greater stroke risk and stronger indication for anticoagulant therapy. This tool has largely replaced the older CHADS2 score due to improved risk stratification.
Usage
Usage note: Use subscript numbers in formal writing; ensure accurate point calculation for each component.
In Context
- "The patient's CHA2DS2-VASc score of 4 indicated high stroke risk requiring anticoagulation." — Risk assessment
- "With a CHA2DS2-VASc of 1, the benefits and risks of anticoagulation were discussed." — Treatment decision