title: The Korean Heart Rhythm Society's 2014 Statement on Antithrombotic Therapy for Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: Korean Heart Rhythm Society.
abstract: In patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF), the risk of stroke varies considerably according to individual clinical status. The CHA2DS2-VASc score is better than the CHADS2 score for identifying truly lower risk patients with AF. With the advent of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs), the strategy for antithrombotic therapy has undergone significant changes due to its superior efficacy, safety and convenience compared with warfarin. Furthermore, new aspects of antithrombotic therapy and risk assessment of stroke have been revealed: the efficacy of stroke prevention with aspirin is weak, while the risk of major bleeding is not significantly different from that of oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy, especially in the elderly. Reflecting these pivotal aspects, previous guidelines have been updated in recent years by overseas societies and associations. The Korean Heart Rhythm Society has summarized the new evidence and updated recommendations for stroke prevention of patients with nonvalvular AF. First of all, antithrombotic therapy must be considered carefully and incorporate the clinical characteristics and circumstances of each individual patient, especially with regards to balancing the benefits of stroke prevention with the risk of bleeding, recommending the CHA2DS2-VASc score rather than the CHADS2 score for assessing the risk of stroke, and employing the HAS-BLED score to validate bleeding risk. In patients with truly low risk (lone AF, CHA2DS2-VASc score of 0), no antithrombotic therapy is recommended, whereas OAC therapy, including warfarin (international normalized ratio 2-3) or NOACs, is recommended for patients with a CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥2 unless contraindicated. In patients with a CHA2DS2-VASc score of 1, OAC therapy should be preferentially considered, but depending on bleeding risk or patient preferences, antiplatelet therapy or no therapy could be permitted.
authors: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Daegu Fatima Hospital, Daegu, Korea.
authors: Byung Chun
authors: BC
authors: Jung
authors: Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wonkwang University Hospital, Iksan, Korea.
authors: Nam Ho
authors: NH
authors: Kim
authors: Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Gi Byung
authors: GB
authors: Nam
authors: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea.
authors: Hyung Wook
authors: HW
authors: Park
authors: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Young Keun
authors: YK
authors: On
authors: Department of Cardiology, Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors: Young Soo
authors: YS
authors: Lee
authors: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Hong Euy
authors: HE
authors: Lim
authors: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Yonsei University Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Boyoung
authors: B
authors: Joung
authors: Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kosin University Gospel Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors: Tae Joon
authors: TJ
authors: Cha
authors: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Ajou University Hospital, Suwon, Korea.
authors: Gyo Seung
authors: GS
authors: Hwang
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Seil
authors: S
authors: Oh
authors: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
authors: June Soo
authors: JS
authors: Kim
keywords: Anticoagulant; Antithrombotic agent; Atrial fibrillation
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