USPSTF Updates Recommendation for ECG Screening for AF

The evidence for screening for atrial fibrillation (AF) using electrocardiography (ECG) is insufficient to assess the benefits vs harms, according to a new recommendation statement from the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).

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The USPSTF conducted a literature review of all available evidence and assessed:

• The benefits and harms of ECG screening in adults aged 65 years or older,
• The benefits and harms of anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy for ECG-detected AF in adults aged 65 years or older, and
• The effectiveness of ECG screening in detecting undiagnosed AF compared with usual care.

“The USPSTF concludes that there is insufficient evidence to determine the balance of benefits and harms of screening for atrial fibrillation with ECG in asymptomatic adults,” the report concluded. “Evidence is lacking, and the balance of benefits and harms cannot be determined.”

—Amanda Balbi

Reference:

Curry SJ, Krist AH, Owens DK, et al; US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for atrial fibrillation with electrocardiography: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement [published online August 7, 2018]. JAMA. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.10321.