The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 called on the Institute of Medicine to recommend
a list of priority topics in comparative effectiveness research (research designed to inform healthcare decisions
by providing evidence on the effectiveness, benefits,and harms of different treatment options) that
deserve federal support. AF is within the top quartile of priorities.The software tool used in this study offers an
effective and easy-to-use method for retrospectively analyzing claims data,helping to identify patients with
AF who are at high risk of stroke,and highlighting whether healthcare providers are managing thatrisk
appropriately based on guideline recommendations.