Atrial cardiopathy and stroke mortality in the general population.

Atrial cardiopathy is associated with an increased risk of stroke mortality, especially among non-whites. Among those with atrial cardiopathy, the risk of stroke mortality exponentially increases as the CHA2DS2-VASc score becomes 2 or above. Randomized controlled trials are needed to assess the efficacy of anticoagulation in the prevention of ischemic stroke and thus, stroke mortality in the presence of atrial cardiopathy.