USPSTF: More Evidence Needed on Screening for Atrial Fibrillation

The US Preventive Services Task Force has released a new draft recommendation on screening for atrial fibrillation (AF) in asymptomatic adults aged 50 years or older.

This draft recommendation statement serves as an update to the group’s 2018 recommendation, with one significant change. The group’s 2018 statement solely recommended screening with electrocardiography (ECG). The new I statement now includes other screening tests, such as automated blood pressure cuffs or photoplethysmography.

The benefits and harms of screening for AF in this patient population, the accuracy and effectiveness of screening tests, and the benefits and harms of anticoagulant therapy were examined within a systematic review. Based on the available evidence, the task force determined they were unable to recommend for or against screening for AF in this patient population.

—Leigh Precopio

Reference:

US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for atrial fibrillation. USPSTF. Published online April 20, 2021. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/draft-recommendation/screening-atrial-fibrillation#citation16