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Review
. 2021 Sep;13(3):531-542.
doi: 10.1016/j.ccep.2021.04.009. Epub 2021 Jul 8.

Atrial Fibrillation Population Screening

Henri Gruwez  1 , Tine Proesmans  2 , Stijn Evens  2 , Frederik H Verbrugge  3 , Sébastien Deferm  4 , Jeroen Dauw  4 , Rik Willems  5 , Pieter Vandervoort  4 , Peter Haemers  5 , Laurent Pison  6
Affiliations
Review

Atrial Fibrillation Population Screening

Henri Gruwez et al. Card Electrophysiol Clin. 2021 Sep.

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with adverse outcomes. Screening may lead to earlier recognition and treatment of asymptomatic AF. However, most evidence regarding AF applies to clinical AF, with symptoms or electrocardiographic diagnosis. Whether this evidence can be translated toward subclinical AF, without symptoms and detected by novel, more continuous screening devices is uncertain. The diagnostic yield of screening is determined by the screening population, tool, duration and frequency. Longer and more frequent screening in a higher risk population leads to more effective screening. New devices based on photoplethysmography and single-lead electrocardiography increase convenience and the likelihood of cost-effectiveness.

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Electrocardiogram; Photoplethysmography; Screening; Stroke.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure H. Gruwez is supported as predoctoral strategic basic research fellow by the Fund for Scientific Research Flanders. S. Evens and T. Proesmans are employed by Qompium. F.H. Verbrugge has provided strategic advice and academic support to Qompium N.V. F.H. Verbrugge is supported by the Special Research Fund (BOF) of Hasselt University (BOF19PD04). R. Willems reports research funding from Biotronik, Boston Scientific, and Medtronic; and speakers and consultancy fees from Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Biotronik, Abbott, and Microport. P. Vandervoort holds stock in Qompium NV, Belgium. R. Willems is supported as postdoctoral clinical researcher by the Fund for Scientific Research Flanders.

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