The European TeleCheck-AF project on remote app-based management of atrial fibrillation during the COVID-19 pandemic: centre and patient experiences.

Aims: TeleCheck-AF is a multicentre international project initiated to maintain care delivery for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) during COVID-19 through teleconsultations supported by an on-demand photoplethysmography-based heart rate and rhythm monitoring app (FibriCheck®). We describe the characteristics, inclusion rates, and experiences from participating centres according the TeleCheck-AF infrastructure as well as characteristics and experiences from recruited patients.

Methods And Results: Three surveys exploring centre characteristics (n = 25), centre experiences (n = 23), and patient experiences (n = 826) were completed.

Christmas, national holidays, sport events, and time factors as triggers of acute myocardial infarction: SWEDEHEART observational study 1998-2013.

Objectives: To study circadian rhythm aspects, national holidays, and major sports events as triggers of myocardial infarction.

Design: Retrospective observational study using the nationwide coronary care unit registry, SWEDEHEART.

Setting: Sweden.

Stroke incidence and anticoagulation treatment in patients with pacemaker-detected silent atrial fibrillation.

Background: Silent atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes are common but the role of anticoagulation treatment is under debate.

Methods: Consecutive patients with dual-chamber pacemakers for sinus node disease or AV block/bundle branch block were retrospectively enrolled and the development of silent AF, any anticoagulation and the incidence of ischaemic stroke and dementia were recorded.

Results: In total 411 patients without and 267 with known AF at implant were included.

N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide in systematic screening for atrial fibrillation.

Objective: Screening for atrial fibrillation (AF) in individuals aged 65 and above is recommended by the European Society of Cardiology. Increased levels of the biomarker N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) has in cohort studies been associated with incident AF.The aim of this study was to assess whether NT-proBNP could be useful for AF detection in systematic screening.

Stepwise mass screening for atrial fibrillation using N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide: the STROKESTOP II study design.

Aim: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent clinical arrhythmia and a major risk factor for ischaemic stroke. Treatment with oral anticoagulants (OACs) reduces the risk of stroke by two thirds in AF patients with risk factors. Due to its often paroxysmal and asymptomatic presentation, AF is sometimes challenging to diagnose.

NT-proBNP is a powerful predictor for incident atrial fibrillation - Validation of a multimarker approach.

Background: Biomarkers may be of value to identify individuals at risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF). Using a multimarker approach, this study investigated if the biomarkers; NT-proBNP, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn), growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), cystatin C and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) are independent predictors for incident AF.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 883 individuals in the Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men (ULSAM) and 978 individuals in the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study.

Registry-based studies of atrial fibrillation from Sweden and Denmark, 2000-2014.

Objectives: We have noticed an increasing number of publications in relation to atrial fibrillation (AF) based on Swedish and Danish health care registries and therefore found it of interest to perform a systematic review of study aims, data sources, exposures, outcomes, journal impact factor, and citation statistics.

Materials And Methods: We searched PubMed from 2000 to 31 December 2014. We included publications which were entirely or partly based on administrative registries and clinical quality databases, and where AF defined the study population or constituted the study exposure or outcome.

Mass Screening for Untreated Atrial Fibrillation: The STROKESTOP Study.

Background: The aims of the present study were to define the prevalence of untreated atrial fibrillation (AF) in a systematic screening program using intermittent ECG recordings among 75- to 76-year-old individuals and to study the feasibility of initiating protective oral anticoagulant (OAC) treatment.

Methods And Results: Half of the 75- to 76-year-old population in 2 Swedish regions were invited to a screening program for AF. Participants without a previous diagnosis of AF underwent intermittent ECG recordings over 2 weeks.