Relation of red blood cell distribution width with CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc score in Chinese patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation

Abstract

BackgroundHigher red cell distribution width (RDW) predicts adverse events in patients with cardiovascular diseases. However, there are limited data regarding the relationship between RDW and thromboembolism risk in the patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to investigate the association between RDW and CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc scores used for the evaluation of thromboembolic risk in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). MethodsOur study included 99 patients with AF (68 paroxysmal AF; 31 persistent AF). We calculated CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc risk scores for each patient, and we carefully recorded clinical characteristics as well as laboratory and echocardiographic parameters. According to CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores, we divided the AF patients into 2 groups (low-intermediate risk and high risk group). Subsequently, we compared the aforementioned parameters between the 2 groups, and we evaluated the relationship between RDW and CHADS2/CHA2DS2-VASc score. Finally, multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to find independent predictors of high CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc scores. ResultsPatients with high CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc scores had older age, higher RDW, and creatinine levels, increased left atrial diameter and lower left ventricular ejection fraction, compared to the low CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc score group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that RDW was an independent predictor for high CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc scores(OR: 2.184 and OR: 5.748; all P<0.05). ConclusionRDW is significantly correlated with CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc score in the patients with AF, while is an independent predictor for high CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc score.