When Silence Isn't Golden: The Case of "Silent" Atrial Fibrillation

Silent atrial fibrillation (AF) is common. In some patients, it is the only manifestation of AF, while in others, the AF may be symptomatic or both symptomatic and asymptomatic. Regardless, however, to date, the significance, detection, and management considerations for silent AF have been incompletely elucidated. This current study aimed to review, for both the current clinician and investigator, considerations and attitudes and the ongoing studies, respectively, with respect to silent AF. The methods used were a literature review and personal trial and clinical experience; the frequency of silent AF, concerns regarding silent AF, methods to detect silent AF, and prospective trials focused on the detection and management of silent AF were considered. The results of the literature search indicated that recently conducted relevant trials, such as PREDATE AF, ASSERT-II, and REVEAL AF, have shown that silent AF is frequent in patients with risk markers for AF and stroke in whom no prior AF history is present, and in whom no pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantations have been previously performed. Furthermore, the GLORIA-AF Registry has reported the observance of more permanent AF and more prior strokes in asymptomatic patients. Ongoing trials such as ARTESiA and NOAH-AFNET 6 are expected to clarify the benefits and risks of oral anticoagulation in patients with silent AF. At present, when silent AF is detected in patients with stroke risk markers, most practitioners initiate an anticoagulation regimen.