Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyCross-sectional study
The feasibility of population screening for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation using hand-held electrocardiogram devices
- Cross-sectional study
- 13 general practices
- nurse-led and remote screening
Authors' conclusion
Population screening for paroxysmal AF is feasible in general practice and without face-to-face contact for all ages over 64 years, including people aged 85 and over.
Study context
- Population
- People aged ≥65 years from general practices in England, 2019–20screened
- Participants
- 2,429 people
- Exposure
- Practice nurse-led vs remote screening with hand-held electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Practice nurse-ledn = 2,141reference
- Remoten = 288
- Outcome
- Screening outcomes: uptake, ECG quality, AF detection, anticoagulation uptake
- Follow-up
- 1-4 weeks of hand-held ECG use
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Uptake of screening
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) detected in screened participants
- 2.6% (64/2429)
- ≥56 interpretable ECGs among those participating 3 weeks; no significant differences by setting or age except ≥85 years (91.1%)
- 98.0%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
AF detection, aged ≥85 years (subgroup)
- Detection rising with age; aged 85 or over
- 9.2%
Anticoagulation commenced in people with AF
- Commenced anticoagulation
- 53/64 (82.8%)
- Uptake of anticoagulation did not vary by age
Original publication
The feasibility of population screening for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation using hand-held electrocardiogram devices. Europace. Published 27 February 2024. doi:10.1093/europace/euae056
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it