Atrial fibrillation (AF) pilot screening programme in primary care in Ireland: an implementation study protocol.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Primary Care Medicine

Background:

• Atrial fibrillation (AF) significantly increases stroke risk, contributing to global morbidity and mortality.
• Early detection and treatment of AF can reduce stroke risk by up to two-thirds.
• AF screening is recommended by national cardiovascular policies, but various methods exist.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the acceptability and feasibility of screening for atrial fibrillation in primary care.
• To evaluate the impact of using a handheld mobile ECG device for AF screening.
• To assess the potential of early AF detection in reducing stroke risk.

Main Methods:

• Opportunistic screening of patients aged ≥65 years for AF using the KardiaMobile handheld ECG device in primary care settings in South Ireland.
• Concurrent collection of blood pressure and smoking status data.
• Mixed-method evaluation including a partial economic analysis, anonymised data collection, and qualitative interviews with participants.

Main Results:

• The study aims to screen up to 4000 patients.
• Data collection will involve both quantitative (screening results, patient demographics) and qualitative (interviews) methods.
• A mixed-method approach will provide comprehensive insights into the screening program's effectiveness and patient/clinician experience.

Conclusions:

• The study will provide valuable data on the implementation of AF screening in primary care.
• Findings will inform the development of effective AF screening programs to mitigate stroke risk.
• This research supports the integration of mobile health technology in cardiovascular disease prevention.