Dr. Wen Sun, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics
Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong
Thrombosis and Haemostasis
Author Interview
Stroke, Systemic or Venous Thromboembolism
Wen Sun, Ben Freedman, Carlos Martinez, Christopher Wallenhorst, Bryan P. Yan
Thromb Haemost 2022; 122(02): 286-294
DOI: 10.1055/a-1588-8867
T&H
Why did you (and your colleagues) write this paper? What was its main purpose?
WEN SUN
Screening for atrial fibrillation has been suggested as a strategy to increase detection of silent unrecognized AF. Determining the precise risk of screen-detected AF and the potential benefit of anticoagulation is an important research question. Our study aimed to evaluate the stroke risk and response to OAC in patients with opportunistic screen-detected AF.
T&H
What are the main conclusions?
WEN SUN
The prognosis of AF detected by opportunistic ECG screening is not benign. The risk of stroke is high enough to warrant OAC use, with a similar response to OAC as clinically-diagnosed AF.
T&H
What are the paper's implications? - to the public? -to medical professionals?
WEN SUN
The risk of stroke in patients with screening-detected AF is comparable with those diagnosed with AF clinically, which warrants prompt anticoagulation therapy to improve prognosis.
T&H
Are the findings clinically significant? Should the findings change practice?
WEN SUN
Our finding fills an important evidence gap: the prognosis of screen-detected AF, and vindicates the recommendation for opportunistic screening by ESC guidelines since 2012.