This bleeding risk assessment tool utilizes a straightforward scoring system based on readily available clinical data. For example, factors like uncontrolled high blood pressure, abnormal kidney or liver function, a history of stroke, bleeding problems, labile international normalized ratios (INRs), an older age (above 65), and prior bleeding or predisposition to falls contribute to the overall score. This score then stratifies patients into low, moderate, or high risk categories for major bleeding.
This practical scoring system aids healthcare professionals in making informed decisions about anticoagulation therapy, specifically in patients with atrial fibrillation. By identifying individuals at increased risk, clinicians can better balance the benefits of stroke prevention against the potential harms of bleeding complications. This risk stratification allows for more personalized treatment strategies, leading to improved patient outcomes. It emerged as a response to the need for a simple, readily applicable tool to assess bleeding risk in everyday clinical practice.
