Kardia Mobile ( AliveCor Ltd , Mountain View , CA , USA ) is the most cost-effective option in a full incremental analysis .
Single time point lead-I ECG devices for the detection of AF in people with signs or symptoms of AF and an irregular pulse appear to be a cost-effective use of NHS re sources compared with MPP followed by a 12-lead ECG in primary or secondary care , given the assumptions used in the base-case model .
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation ( AF ) is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with an increased risk of stroke and congestive heart failure .
Lead-I electrocardiogram ( ECG ) devices are h and held instruments that can be used to detect AF at a single time point in people who present with relevant signs or symptoms .
OBJECTIVE To assess the diagnostic test accuracy , clinical impact and cost-effectiveness of using single time point lead-I ECG devices for the detection of AF in people presenting to primary care with relevant signs or symptoms , and who have an irregular pulse compared with using manual pulse palpation ( MPP ) followed by a 12-lead ECG in primary or secondary care .
Asymptomatic atrial fibrillation: demographic features and prognostic information from the Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigation of Rhythm Management (AFFIRM) study.
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation  ( AF ) may occur without symptoms . Little is known about demographic features and prognostic information in patients with asymptomatic AF . METHODS In the AFFIRM study , 4060 patients were r and omized to either rhythm or rate control . At baseline , patients were identified as asymptomatic if they answered " no " to a 15-item question naire related to cardiac symptoms during AF in the 6 months before study entry . RESULTS There were 481 ( 12 % ) asymptomatic patients at baseline . Compared with symptomatic patients , asymptomatic patients were more often men and had a lower incidence of coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure , but had more cerebrovascular events . Asymptomatic patients had a longer duration of AF , a lower maximum heart rate , and better left ventricular function . They received fewer cardiac medications and fewer therapies to maintain sinus rhythm . At 5 years , there was a trend for better survival in asymptomatic patients ( 81 % vs 77 % , P = .058 ) , and they were more likely to be free from disabling stroke or anoxic encephalopathy , major bleeding , and cardiac arrest ( 79 % vs 67 % , P = .024 ) . However , mortality and major events were similar after correction for baseline differences . CONCLUSIONS Patients with asymptomatic AF have less serious heart disease but more cerebrovascular disease . Asymptomatic patients receive different therapies than symptomatic patients . However , the absence of symptoms and the differences in treatment does not confer a more favorable prognosis when differences in baseline clinical parameters are considered . Anticoagulation should be considered in these patients
Kardia Mobile ( AliveCor Ltd , Mountain View , CA , USA ) is the most cost-effective option in a full incremental analysis .
Single time point lead-I ECG devices for the detection of AF in people with signs or symptoms of AF and an irregular pulse appear to be a cost-effective use of NHS re sources compared with MPP followed by a 12-lead ECG in primary or secondary care , given the assumptions used in the base-case model .
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation ( AF ) is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with an increased risk of stroke and congestive heart failure .
Lead-I electrocardiogram ( ECG ) devices are h and held instruments that can be used to detect AF at a single time point in people who present with relevant signs or symptoms .
OBJECTIVE To assess the diagnostic test accuracy , clinical impact and cost-effectiveness of using single time point lead-I ECG devices for the detection of AF in people presenting to primary care with relevant signs or symptoms , and who have an irregular pulse compared with using manual pulse palpation ( MPP ) followed by a 12-lead ECG in primary or secondary care .