Program for the Identification of "Actionable" Atrial Fibrillation in the Family Practice Setting (PIAAF-FP)

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major risk factor for stroke. The identification and treatment of AF is one of the best way to prevent stroke. The problem is that because AF may cause minimal symptoms, it often goes undetected before a patient suffers a stroke. Also, it is known that as many as half of all patients with known AF may not be receiving appropriate anticoagulation for their condition. New technologies are making it possible to improve AF detection. Subjects in this study will be screened for AF using three simple methods: a 30-second pulse check, a hand-held single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) device and a blood pressure monitor with built-in AF screening capabilities. If more patients with AF can be detected, more patients will be able to receive guideline-recommended anticoagulant therapy, and more strokes, deaths, disability, and dementia will be prevented.

Participants will be screened for AF using three simple methods (pulse check, single-lead ECG, blood pressure machine with automated AF detection algorithms). Subjects screening positive on any test will attend for a 12-lead ECG within 24 h. For all patients with AF detected, clinical characteristics and medications will be compared at baseline and 90±14 days later.

Subjects will undergo three screening methods for atrial fibrillation: 30 Second Pulse Check Watch BP Home A HeartCheck Hand-held ECG device

The sensitivity and specificity of SL-ECG and BP-AF will be separately compared with that of pulse palpation alone using McNemar's method. This method can be used when only those subjects screening positive attend for confirmatory testing (12-lead ECG ± Holter monitor). A 2-sided alpha of 0.025 will be used to allow for multiple comparisons. A further analysis will be performed using the SL-ECG data as the gold standard. To ensure adequate diagnostic quality, this analysis will only be performed if 5% or less of the overall SL-ECG tracings are deemed "uninterpretable". A bipolar ECG interpreted by a cardiologist has a reported 99% sensitivity and 96% specificity for the diagnosis of AF. If this exploratory analysis is performed it will enable estimation of the sensitivity and specificity of the pulse-check and BP-AF device.

Cost-effectiveness measures based on each screening test and their potential impact on stroke and other clinical endpoints

Prescription rates at 90±14 days for oral anticoagulant agents (OACs) and drugs for control of heart rate and/or rhythm for patients with actionable AF

Number needed to screen to detect one case of AF, in relation to demographic and clinical characteristics (gender, age, comorbidities).

Screener and patient experiences with the different screening methods, assessed by satisfaction questionnaire.

Inclusion Criteria: Age ≥65 years. Attending their usual Primary Care Clinic. Provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: Patients considered by the Investigator to be unsuitable for study follow-up because the patient: is unreliable concerning the follow-up schedule cannot be contacted by telephone has a life expectancy less than the anticipated study duration due to concomitant disease. Presence of an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator. Inability to have a BP cuff applied. Documented significant allergy to ECG electrode adhesive. Previously screened as part of this study.

Quinn FR, Gladstone DJ, Ivers NM, Sandhu RK, Dolovich L, Ling A, Nakamya J, Ramasundarahettige C, Frydrych PA, Henein S, Ng K, Congdon V, Birtwhistle RV, Ward R, Healey JS. Diagnostic accuracy and yield of screening tests for atrial fibrillation in the family practice setting: a multicentre cohort study. CMAJ Open. 2018 Aug 2;6(3):E308-E315. doi: 10.9778/cmajo.20180001. Print 2018 Jul-Sep.

Tarride JE, Quinn FR, Blackhouse G, Sandhu RK, Burke N, Gladstone DJ, Ivers NM, Dolovich L, Thornton A, Nakamya J, Ramasundarahettige C, Frydrych PA, Henein S, Ng K, Congdon V, Birtwhistle RV, Ward R, Healey JS. Is Screening for Atrial Fibrillation in Canadian Family Practices Cost-Effective in Patients 65 Years and Older? Can J Cardiol. 2018 Nov;34(11):1522-1525. doi: 10.1016/j.cjca.2018.05.016. Epub 2018 Jun 21.