Screening for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in primary care using Holter monitoring and intermittent, ambulatory single-lead electrocardiography

Evert P M Karregat*, Nicole Verbiest-van Gurp, Anne C Bouwman, Steven B Uittenbogaart, Jelle C L Himmelreich, Wim A M Lucassen, Sebastien P. J. Krul, Henri A M van Kesteren, Justin G L M Luermans, Henk C P M van Weert, Henri E J H Stoffers

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Timely detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) is important because of its increased risk of thrombo-embolic events. Single time point screening interventions fall short in detection of paroxysmal AF, which requires prolonged electrocardiographic monitoring, usually using a Holter. However, traditional 24-48 h Holter monitoring is less appropriate for screening purposes because of its low diagnostic yield. Intermittent, ambulatory screening using a single-lead electrocardiogram (1 L-ECG) device can offer a more efficient alternative.

METHODS: Primary care patients of ≥65 years participated in an opportunistic screening study for AF. We invited patients with a negative 12 L-ECG to wear a Holter monitor for two weeks and to use a MyDiagnostick 1 L-ECG device thrice daily. We report the yield of paroxysmal AF found by Holter monitoring and calculate the diagnostic accuracy of the 1 L-ECG device's built-in AF detection algorithm with the Holter monitor as reference standard.

RESULTS: We included 270 patients, of whom four had AF in a median of 8.0 days of Holter monitoring, a diagnostic yield of 1.5% (95%-CI: 0.4-3.8%). In 205 patients we performed simultaneous 1 L-ECG screening. For diagnosing AF based on the 1 L-ECG device's AF detection algorithm, sensitivity was 66.7% (95%-CI: 9.4-99.2%), specificity 68.8% (95%-CI: 61.9-75.1%), positive predictive value 3.1% (95%-CI: 1.4-6.8%) and negative predictive value 99.3% (95%-CI: 96.6-99.9%).

CONCLUSION: We found a low diagnostic yield of paroxysmal AF using Holter monitoring in elderly primary care patients with a negative 12 L-ECG. The diagnostic accuracy of an intermittently, ambulatory used MyDiagnostick 1 L-ECG device as interpreted by its built-in AF detection algorithm is limited.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)41-46
Number of pages6
JournalInternational Journal of Cardiology
Volume345
Early online date20 Oct 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Dec 2021

Keywords

  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Screening
  • Electrocardiography
  • Prevalence
  • Holter monitoring
  • Diagnostic accuracy
  • STROKE
  • RISK
  • PERFORMANCE
  • MANAGEMENT
  • CARDIOLOGY
  • DEVICES

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