Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an important independent risk factor for stroke and oral anticoagulation therapy provides a highly effective treatment to reduce this risk. Active screening strategies improve detection of AF in comparison with routine care; however, whether screen-detected patients have stroke risk profiles favouring anticoagulation is unclear. Using data derived from the screening for AF in the elderly (SAFE) study, the aim of this article was to determine if patients with AF detected via active screening have stroke risk profiles that warrant prophylactic anticoagulation. METHODS: Secondary analysis of data derived from 25 general practices within which cohorts of 200 patients were randomly allocated to opportunistic [pulse and electrocardiogram (ECG)] or systematic screening (postal invitation for ECG). Stroke risk assessment was undertaken using baseline data extracted from medical records and CHADS2 criteria. CHADS2 scores were compared between the screening groups. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-nine new cases of AF were detected, 75 via opportunistic screening and 74 via systematic screening. CHADS2 scores were ≥1 in 83% [95% confidence interval (CI) 72.6-89.6] of patients detected via opportunistic screening and 78% (95% CI 67.7-86.2) detected via systematic screening. There were no significant differences in stroke risk profiles of patients detected via opportunistic and systematic screenings. CONCLUSION: Stroke risk profiles of patients detected via opportunistic and systematic screenings were similar. Data derived from the SAFE study suggest that active screening for AF in patients aged ≥65 years in primary care is a useful screening programme with 78-83% of patients identified eligible for anticoagulation treatment according to the CHADS2 criteria.

Original publication

DOI

10.1093/fampra/cmu011

Type

Journal article

Journal

Fam Pract

Publication Date

06/2014

Volume

31

Pages

298 - 302

Keywords

Anticoagulation, atrial fibrillation, primary care, risk factors, screening, stroke., Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Anticoagulants, Atrial Fibrillation, Cohort Studies, Female, Humans, Male, Mass Screening, Primary Health Care, Risk Assessment, Stroke