Noubiap JJ, Kamtchum-Tatuene J, Fitzgerald JL, et al. - in patients suffering from AF, researchers intended to summarize the evidence on the risk of thromboembolism in relation to carotid and aortic atherosclerosis, as well as the possible influence of their incorporation in current stroke risk stratification scores. All relevant published studies were identified from MEDLINE, Web of Science and EMBASE. Overall, 10 eligible studies were analyzed. As per available data, carotid atherosclerosis was identified to be related to the risk of stroke as well as transient ischemic attack in patients with AF. It should be assessed in future investigations if an improved stroke prediction and prevention in patients with AF would be achieved by the inclusion of carotid intima-media thickness and characteristics of carotid and aortic plaques into scoring systems.