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Because atrial fibrillation (AF) is a significant and treatable risk factor for stroke, it seems logical to assume that identifying previously undiagnosed AF is useful. Two studies from the U.K. examined various strategies for detecting AF.
The first study was designed to identify the best screening method for AF. Fifty primary care practices involving 14,802 patients aged 65 and older were randomized to intervention or control groups. Patients in the intervention group were further randomized either to have an electrocardiogram (systematic screening) or to have their pulse checked with a confirmatory ECG, depending on the pulse findings (opportunistic screening). Patients in the control group were not screened. Detection rates for new cases…