Atrial fibrillation and its influence on stroke risk

Atrial fibrillation and its influence on stroke risk Domenico Prisco,1,2 Caterina Cenci,1 Elena Silvestri,1,2 Lucia Ciucciarelli,1,2 Benedetta Tomberli,2 Carlo Tamburini2 1Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; 2Patologia Medica Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy Abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in the clinical setting. AF increases both the risk and severity of stroke, and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Decisions regarding appropriate stroke prevention in AF patients are crucial and require individual assessment of both thromboembolic and bleeding risk. This review will provide an overview of recommended risk assessment tools and discuss other possible risk factors which could improve risk stratification in AF patients. Keywords: atrial fibrillation, stroke, thromboembolism, risk stratification