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Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
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To Screen or Not to Screen? Examining the Arguments Against Screening for Atrial Fibrillation

Lis Neubeck1, Jessica Orchard2, Nicole Lowres3

  • 1School of Health and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Sydney Nursing School, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Heart, Lung & Circulation
|June 18, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Atrial fibrillation (AF) screening is recommended but faces arguments against it. This study evaluates AF screening against World Health Organization criteria to determine its value in reducing stroke risk.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Public Health
  • Preventive Medicine

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia, affecting one in four individuals over 40.
  • A significant proportion of AF patients (40%) are asymptomatic, posing a risk for stroke.
  • Early detection and management of AF can decrease stroke risk by two-thirds.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To address common arguments against atrial fibrillation screening.
  • To evaluate atrial fibrillation screening based on the World Health Organization's Wilson and Jungner criteria.
  • To determine the overall value of AF screening programs.

Main Methods:

  • Review of common arguments against atrial fibrillation screening.
  • Assessment of AF screening against established World Health Organization screening criteria.
  • Analysis of the potential benefits and drawbacks of AF screening.

Main Results:

  • Atrial fibrillation screening aligns with key World Health Organization criteria for effective screening programs.
  • The benefits of early AF detection, particularly stroke risk reduction, support screening initiatives.
  • Addressing counterarguments demonstrates the feasibility and value of implementing AF screening.

Conclusions:

  • Atrial fibrillation screening meets the World Health Organization's criteria for a valuable public health intervention.
  • Implementing AF screening is supported by its potential to significantly reduce stroke risk.
  • Evidence supports the broader adoption of atrial fibrillation screening programs.

Keywords:
Atrial fibrillationScreeningTechnology

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