The ACC and the American Heart Association have released updated clinical performance and quality measures on atrial fibrillation (AFib) or atrial flutter that incorporate two changes to performance measures in accordance with the 2019 ACC/AHA/Heart Rhythm Society atrial fibrillation guideline focused update.

The 2020 Update to the 2016 ACC/AHA Clinical Performance and Quality Measures for Adults With Atrial Fibrillation or Atrial Flutter, published Dec. 7 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology and Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, and was developed in collaboration with the Heart Rhythm Society.

The first change in the document, which is incorporated into all the performance measures, is the definition of valvular AFib, including for patients with either moderate or severe mitral stenosis or those with a mechanical prosthetic heart valve.

The second change, which only applies to the performance measure of anticoagulation prescribed, is the different CHA2DS2-VASc risk score treatment thresholds for men (greater than one) and women (greater than two), further demonstrating that the risk of stroke differs for men and women with AFib or atrial flutter.

According to the writing committee, successful implementation of these updated performance measures by providers, physician practices, and hospital systems will help to enhance the quality of care provided to adult patients with AFib or atrial flutter.

Clinical Topics: Anticoagulation Management, Arrhythmias and Clinical EP, Anticoagulation Management and Atrial Fibrillation, Atrial Fibrillation/Supraventricular Arrhythmias

Keywords: Anticoagulants, Atrial Fibrillation, Atrial Flutter, Quality of Health Care, Risk Assessment, Thromboembolism

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