Relationship between Arterial Stiffness and CHA2DS2-VASc Score in AF-related Stroke Patients

Abstract

Aim: Arterial stiffness is related with both atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke. The CHA2DS2-VASc score is used to assess stroke risk in patients with AF. In this study, it was aimed to examine the relationship between arterial stiffness and CHA2DS2-VASc score in AF-related stroke patients. Material and Methods: Thirty stroke patients with paroxysmal AF participated in this research. Calculations of the patients' pre-stroke CHA2DS2-VASc scores were made. The SphygmoCor device was used to assess the Carotid-Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (cfPWV), which served as a surrogate for arterial stiffness. It was determined whether or not there was a statistical connection between the CHA2DS2-VASc score and arterial stiffness. Results: The patients were seperated into groups based on their CHA2DS2-VASc scores prior to the stroke (group 1: score=0-1, group 2: score=≥2). The two groups' characteristics were comparable, except for age, BMI and systolic blood pressure. Patients with high CHA2DS2-VASc scores (group 2) demonstrated significantly greater cfPWV values than those with low scores (group 1). The CHA2DS2-VASc score and the cfPWV revealed a favourable association in the correlation study. Conclusion: The CHA2DS2-VASc score and cfPWV were substantially and linearly associated. Calculation of CHA2DS2-VASc and monitoring of arterial stiffness in stroke-prone individuals may be stimulus for taking preventive measures from stroke in these patients.