General population screening for atrial fibrillation with an automated rhythm-detection blood pressure device

Background: Screening strategies to diagnose previously undetected atrial fibrillation (AF), especially silent AF (SAF), in at-risk populations may help reduce the number of strokes. We prospectively assessed the incidence rate of AF, including SAF, using an automated AF-detection capable sphygmomanometer in the General Practitioner (GP) setting. Methods: This was a population-based prospective study of unselected general population of >= 65 years without prior AF. Participating GPs were requested, in the period February 2018-April 2019, to record all AF diagnoses including those derived from the AF-detection capable sphygmomanometer and confirmed by 12-lead ECG or ECG Holter in asymptomatic patients. Results: Overall, 14,987 patients assisted by 76 GPs accumulated 16,838 patient-years of follow up. The incidence rate of AF was 2.25% patient-years (95%CI 2.03-2.48). AF was more frequently detected in male, older, overweight, and patients with prior stroke, congestive heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. One in four patients had device-detected SAF (0.56% patient-years, 95%CI 0.46-0.69). Age, overweight, and the number of annual visits, were independent predictors of both SAF and AF. In addition, congestive heart failure, mitral valve disease were independent predictors of AF. Due to the interaction between blood pressure and age the risk of AF increased exponentially after 75 years of age in patients with higher systolic blood pressure values. Conclusion: We found a higher than previously reported incidence rate of AF possibly by capturing SAF. Our simple protocol might be feasible in large-scale screening for AF and SAF in routine GP care. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study prospectively assessed the incidence rate of AF, including SAF, using an automated AF-detection capable sphygmomanometer in the GP setting. The higher than reported AF incidence rate may be attributed to capturing SAF. The simple screening protocol may be feasible for large-scale screening for AF and SAF in routine GP care.