This cluster randomised controlled trial found that opportunistic screening in primary care did not increase the detection of #AFib compared with usual care in patients aged 65 & over @bmj_latest bmj.com/content/370/bm…
Yet the findings are in contrast to the SAFE study which showed that opportunistic screening for #atrialfibrillation over a year detected more new diagnoses than usual care.
In this study, however, there was a high baseline prevalence of #AF suggesting that the detection of atrial fibrillation is already high in usual care in the Netherlands - therefore more difficult to detect a meaningful difference between the trial arms.
Also, trial participants were generally younger & less co-morbid (selection bias), therefore potentially underestimating the potential for screening.
‘The uptake of continuous rhythm monitoring as a means of screening for atrial fibrillation might be more effective with new & wireless technologies, such as smart watches or wireless patches.’
Even so, the ‘effectiveness of prolonged screening on clinical endpoints, such as stroke & death, is not known’
Nonetheless, ‘doctors’ awareness of the importance of timely detection of atrial fibrillation is necessary’. @bmj_latest #AF
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