Score predicts anticoagulant bleeding risk

The CHADS2 score used for predicting stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation is also a useful guide to assessing the risk of severe bleeds with anticoagulants such as warfarin and dabigatran, a study shows.

The findings come from a sub-group analysis of a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine of warfarin and dabigatran involving 18,000 patients with atrial fibrillation.

CHADS2 scores were calculated on the basis of congestive heart failure, hypertension, age over 75 and diabetes, and history of previous stroke.

Patients with higher CHADS2 scores were at higher risk of stroke, but were also at increased risk for severe bleeding complications and death during treatment with warfarin or dabigatran.