For patients with AF with an indication for primary CAD prevention or stable CAD/arterial vascular disease (peripheral vascular disease or aortic plaque), the selection of antithrombotic therapy should be on the basis of their risk of stroke as follows (Fig. 2).

3. If the patient has no evidence of CAD/vascular disease and is aged < 65 years with no CHADS₂ risk factors, we suggest no antithrombotic therapy for stroke prevention (Conditional Recommendation, Moderate-Quality Evidence).
4. If the patient has stable CAD/vascular disease and is aged < 65 years with no CHADS₂ risk factors, we suggest ASA 81 mg/d (Conditional Recommendation, Moderate-Quality Evidence).
5. If the patient has stable CAD/vascular disease and is aged ≥ 65 years or the CHADS₂ score ≥ 1, we recommend OAC therapy alone (Strong Recommendation, High-Quality Evidence).