Regarding the limitations of these scoring systems, a recent effort to find AF-specific biomarkers that can predict vascular events, such as fibrin clot permeability,[21] N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide,[22] Group/Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF-15),[23] or free fatty acid,[24] could shed light on risk stratification in stroke patients with AF. This evidence concerns the gene GDF15 and atrial fibrillation.