Screening della fibrillazione atriale nella popolazione generale: esperienza della campagna educazionale sul rischio cardiovascolare della Regione Emilia-Romagna [Screening for atrial fibrillation in the general population: experience from a cardiovascular risk campaign in the Emilia-Romagna Region]

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major cause of cerebral ischemia, and its early detection may impact on health. Both invasive and non-invasive devices can be used for the diagnosis of AF. The aim of our study was to estimate the prevalence of AF using a single-lead ECG device (MyDiagnostickTM) on an adult, asymptomatic population during a screening campaign. Methods: A total of 2547 subjects underwent AF screening. Results: The device detected an arrhythmia in 42 subjects (1.65%), and AF was confirmed on 12-lead ECG in 14 (0.55%) of them. The prevalence of confirmed AF increased in subjects over 65 years of age (1.21%) or with a CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥2 in males or ≥3 in females (1.33%). Furthermore, heart failure (odds ratio [OR] 8.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.87-39.6, p=0.006) and diabetes (OR 4.55, 95% CI 1.25-16.5, p=0.021) significantly increased the risk of AF. Conclusions: During a screening campaign, the diagnosis of AF increases when subjects with a high thromboembolic risk are selected.