'Framingham Score' Proposed for Atrial Fibrillation Risk

A patient's 10-year risk for developing atrial fibrillation can be calculated from readily available clinical data, according to a Lancet study.

28 feb 2009--Framingham Study researchers followed a cohort of roughly 4800 middle-aged and older adults, initially without AF, for 10 years. During that period, 10% developed AF. The condition was most strongly associated with age, BMI, systolic pressure, hypertension, PR interval, cardiac murmur, and heart failure. The authors conclude that their score, based on these factors, "is reasonably accurate for stratification of individuals into risk categories."

Commentators call the work a step in the right direction — a step away from the present circumstance in which, rather than attempting prevention, "we have accepted that ... atrial fibrillation is an unavoidable evil and [have become] preoccupied with preventing complications, such as heart failure and stroke."

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Lancet article (Free abstract; full text requires subscription)