Researchers at the University of Vermont have developed a more precise way to assess stroke risk in people with atrial fibrillation (A-fib), a condition that affects 10.5 million Americans and is a leading cause of stroke.
Their findings, published in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, show that adding simple blood tests to an existing risk calculator can help physicians better determine who truly needs anticoagulant medications—powerful drugs that prevent strokes but can also cause dangerous bleeding. The researchers posted a new improved stroke risk calculator online for physicians' easy access.
“This could be a game-changer for stroke prevention,” said principal investigator Mary Cushman, M.D., M.Sc., University Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Pathology & Laboratory Medicine.
“This will help doctors better select patients for anticoagulation, potentially saving lives and reducing health care costs,” said lead author Samuel Short, M.D.’23.