AAN 2022 | Stratification of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation

Edip Gurol, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, comments on advances in the stratification of ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation. Various scoring systems can be used in the stratification of atrial fibrillation, including the CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores, but the current guidelines recommend using the CHA2DS2-VASc score. However, these risk scores are not specific for atrial fibrillation. More specific approaches are needed to improve the prediction of an individual’s risk of developing ischemic stroke. New approaches using echocardiography and imaging data can enhance patient stratification. Several markers can be used in the stratification of brain hemorrhages, such as the presence of microbleeds, white matter hyperintensities, and enlarged perivascular spaces on MRI. This interview took place at the American Academy of Neurology 2022 Congress in Seattle, WA.