Risk Factors for SCEs
Significant univariate factors were age, persistent AF, CHADS2/CH2ADS2-VASc score, serum NT-ProBNP levels, LAD, spontaneous echo contrast, baseline ACT before first UFH injection, and time to reach the optimal ACT (> 300 sec), all of which were directed to multivariate analysis. CHADS2 score (> 2 points or <2 points) and CH2ADS2-VASc score (> 3 points or <3 points) were considered as categorical data based on the clinical risk stratification of thromboembolism. LAD was also considered as categorical data with a clinical cut-off value of 40 mm. After adjusting for age and gender, multivariate logistic analysis demonstrated that LAD, and the baseline ACT, and the time to reach the optimal ACT were significant risk factors for SCEs (Table 2).