Key result
Opportunistic screening with a handheld ECG device detected unknown atrial fibrillation in 5.5% of patients aged 65 years or older in primary care settings.
Why the study?
The study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of unknown AF in the elderly population of the Veneto Region, Italy.
Does opportunistic screening with a handheld single-lead electrocardiogram device detect unknown atrial fibrillation in elderly patients in primary care?
Cross-Sectional (n=1,820)
Yes
Does opportunistic screening with a handheld single-lead electrocardiogram device detect unknown atrial fibrillation in elderly patients in primary care?
Opportunistic screening with a handheld single-lead ECG device in primary care identified a 5.5% prevalence of previously unknown atrial fibrillation in elderly patients, with higher detection rates in those with mild symptoms or advanced age.
May support targeted AF screening in elderly primary care; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice.
OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of unknown atrial fibrillation (AF) in the elderly population of the Veneto Region, Italy. METHODS: 1820 patients aged ≥ 65 years with no history of AF and not anticoagulated were enrolled in primary-care settings. They underwent an opportunistic electrocardiogram screening with a handheld device (MyDiagnostick) designed to specifically detect AF. The electrocardiogram recordings were reviewed by the researchers, who confirmed the presence of AF. At multivariate analysis, congestive heart failure and age ≥ 75 years-old were independent predictors for screen-detected AF. CONCLUSIONS: -VASc score.
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Rivezzi et al. (2020) conducted a cross-sectional in Unknown atrial fibrillation (n=1,820). Opportunistic screening with MyDiagnostick handheld ECG device was evaluated on Prevalence of unknown atrial fibrillation. Opportunistic screening with a handheld ECG device detected unknown atrial fibrillation in 5.5% of patients aged 65 years or older in primary care settings.
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