In a Large General Practice Dataset, Use of the CHA₂DS₂-VA Score Leads to Almost Universal Recommendation for Anticoagulation Treatment in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Aged 65 Years and Over

For high-risk atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, treatment with oral anticoagulants (OAC) can reduce stroke risk by two-thirds. From 2012–14, OAC treatment recommendations in international guidelines moved from CHADS₂≥2 to CHA₂DS₂-VASc≥2(men)/≥3(women), equivalent to CHA₂DS₂-VA≥2.