| 1. |
- Aronsson, Mattias, et al.
(författare)
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Cost-effectiveness of mass screening for untreated atrial fibrillation using intermittent ECG recording
- 2015
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Ingår i: Europace. - : Oxford University Press (OUP): Policy B - Oxford Open Option B - CC-BY. - 1099-5129 .- 1532-2092. ; 17:7, s. 1023-1029
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims The aim of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of 2 weeks of intermittent screening for asymptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) in 75/76-year-old individuals. Methods and results The cost-effectiveness analysis of screening in 75-year-old individuals was based on a lifelong decision analytic Markov model. In this model, 1000 hypothetical individuals, who matched the population of the STROKESTOP study, were simulated. The population was analysed for different parameters such as prevalence, AF status, treatment with oral anticoagulation, stroke risk, utility, and costs. In the base-case scenario, screening of 1000 individuals resulted in 263 fewer patient-years with undetected AF. This implies eight fewer strokes, 11 more life-years, and 12 more quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) per 1000 screened individuals. The screening implies an incremental cost of (sic)50 012, resulting in a cost of (sic)4313 per gained QALY and (sic)6583 per avoided stroke. Conclusions With the use of a decision analytic simulation model, it has been shown that screening for asymptomatic AF in 75/76-year-old individuals is cost-effective.
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| 2. |
- Aronsson, Mattias, 1989-, et al.
(författare)
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Designing an optimal screening program for unknown atrial fibrillation : a cost-effectiveness analysis.
- 2017
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Ingår i: Europace. - Oxford : Oxford University Press. - 1099-5129 .- 1532-2092. ; 19:10, s. 1650-1656
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims: The primary objective of this study was to use computer simulations to suggest an optimal age for initiation of screening for unknown atrial fibrillation and to evaluate if repeated screening will add value.Methods and results: In the absence of relevant clinical studies, this analysis was based on a simulation model. More than two billion different designs of screening programs for unknown atrial fibrillation were simulated and analysed. Data from the published scientific literature and registries were used to construct the model and estimate lifelong effects and costs. Costs and effects generated by 2 147 483 648 different screening designs were calculated and compared. Program designs that implied worse clinical outcome and were less cost-effective compared to other programs were excluded from the analysis. Seven program designs were identified, and considered to be cost effective depending on what the health-care decision makers are ready to pay for gaining a quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). Screening at the age of 75 implied the lowest cost per gained QALY (€4 800/QALY).Conclusion: In conclusion, examining the results of more than two billion simulated screening program designs for unknown atrial fibrillation, seven designs were deemed cost-effective depending on how much we are prepared to pay for gaining QALYs. Our results showed that repeated screening for atrial fibrillation implied additional health benefits to a reasonable cost compared to one-off screening.
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| 3. |
- Atterman, Adriano, et al.
(författare)
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Net benefit of oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation and active cancer : a nationwide cohort study
- 2020
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Ingår i: Europace. - : Oxford University Press. - 1099-5129 .- 1532-2092. ; 22:1, s. 58-65
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims: To estimate the net cerebrovascular benefit of prophylactic treatment with oral anticoagulants (OACs) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and active cancer.Methods and results: We included all Swedish patients who had been diagnosed with AF in a hospital or in a hospital-associated outpatient unit between 1 July 2005 and 1 October 2017. Patients with active cancer (n = 22 596) and without cancer (n = 440 848) were propensity score matched for the likelihood of receiving OACs at baseline. At baseline, 38.3% of cancer patients with AF and high stroke risk according to CHA2DS2-VASc score received OACs. There was a net benefit of OACs, assessed by the composite outcome of ischaemic stroke, extracranial arterial thromboembolism, all major bleedings, and death, both among patients with active cancer [hazard ratio (HR): 0.81, confidence interval (CI): 0.78-0.85] and among patients without cancer (HR: 0.81, CI: 0.80-0.82). When limiting follow-up to 1 year to minimize the effects of possible treatment cross-over and additionally accounting for death as a competing risk in cancer patients, a net cerebrovascular benefit regarding ischaemic stroke or intracranial bleeding was observed for OACs [subhazard ratio (sHR): 0.67, CI: 0.55-0.83]. A net cerebrovascular benefit was also seen for non-vitamin K antagonist OACs over warfarin after competing risk analyses in cancer patients (sHR: 0.65, CI: 0.48-0.88).Conclusion: Patients with AF and active cancer benefit from OAC treatment.
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| 4. |
- Friberg, Leif, et al.
(författare)
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Population screening of 75- and 76-year-old men and women for silent atrial fibrillation (STROKESTOP)
- 2013
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Ingår i: Europace. - : Oxford University Press (OUP): Policy B. - 1099-5129 .- 1532-2092. ; 15:1, s. 135-140
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) is important because it is common and is a major cause of stroke unless treated with oral anticoagulant. The prevalence of AF increases with age as does the risk of stroke. At 75 years the risk from age alone is so high that current guidelines recommend anticoagulation even in the absence of other risk factors. Atrial fibrillation is often asymptomatic and only discovered by chance or when a stroke already has occurred. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanWe have launched a major screening study for silent AF in which 25 000 Swedes aged 75 and 76 years are randomized to either participate in a screening programme using ambulant intermittent electrocardiogram (ECG) recording to detect silent AF, or act as a control group. Patients in whom AF is detected are offered cardiological examination and anticoagulant treatment according to current guidelines. The cohort and the controls will be followed prospectively for 5 years after the inclusion of the first participant. An interim analysis will be made after 3 years. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanOur hypothesis is that screening for AF will reduce stroke incidence in the screened population, and that this screening will prove to be cost effective. Secondary endpoints are: any thromboembolic event, intracranial bleeding, other major bleeding, first ever diagnosis of dementia, death from any cause, and a composite of these endpoints.
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| 5. |
- Gudmundsdottir, Katrin Kemp, et al.
(författare)
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Stepwise mass screening for atrial fibrillation using N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide : the STROKESTOP II study
- 2020
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Ingår i: Europace. - : OXFORD UNIV PRESS. - 1099-5129 .- 1532-2092. ; 22:1, s. 24-32
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims: To study the prevalence of unknown atrial fibrillation (AF) in a high-risk, 75/76-year-old, population using N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and handheld electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings in a stepwise screening procedure.Methods and results: The STROKESTOP II study is a population-based cohort study in which all 75/76-year-old in the Stockholm region (n = 28 712) were randomized 1:1 to be invited to an AF screening programme or to serve as the control group. Participants without known AF had NT-proBNP analysed and were stratified into low-risk (NT-proBNP <125 ng/L) and high-risk (NT-proBNP >= 125 ng/L) groups. The high-risk group was offered extended ECG-screening, whereas the low-risk group performed only one single-lead ECG recording. In total, 6868 individuals accepted the screening invitation of which 6315 (91.9%) did not have previously known AF. New AF was detected in 2.6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.2-3.0] of all participants without previous AF. In the high-risk group (n = 3766/6315, 59.6%), AF was diagnosed in 4.4% (95% CI 3.7-5.1) of the participants. Out of these, 18% had AF on their index-ECG. In the low-risk group, one participant was diagnosed with AF on index-ECG. The screening procedure resulted in an increase in known prevalence from 8.1% to 10.5% among participants. Oral anticoagulant treatment was initiated in 94.5% of the participants with newly diagnosed AF.Conclusion: N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide-stratified systematic screening for AF identified 4.4% of the high-risk participants with new AF. Oral anticoagulant treatment initiation was well accepted in the group diagnosed with new AF.
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| 6. |
- Kirchhof, Paulus, et al.
(författare)
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Comprehensive risk reduction in patients with atrial fibrillation : emerging diagnostic and therapeutic options - a report from the 3rd Atrial Fibrillation Competence NETwork/European Heart Rhythm Association consensus conference
- 2012
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Ingår i: Europace. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1099-5129 .- 1532-2092. ; 14:1, s. 8-27
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- While management of atrial fibrillation (AF) patients is improved by guideline-conform application of anticoagulant therapy, rate control, rhythm control, and therapy of accompanying heart disease, the morbidity and mortality associated with AF remain unacceptably high. This paper describes the proceedings of the 3rd Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET)/European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) consensus conference that convened over 60 scientists and representatives from industry to jointly discuss emerging therapeutic and diagnostic improvements to achieve better management of AF patients. The paper covers four chapters: (i) risk factors and risk markers for AF; (ii) pathophysiological classification of AF; (iii) relevance of monitored AF duration for AF-related outcomes; and (iv) perspectives and needs for implementing better antithrombotic therapy. Relevant published literature for each section is covered, and suggestions for the improvement of management in each area are put forward. Combined, the propositions formulate a perspective to implement comprehensive management in AF.
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| 7. |
- Levin, Lars-Åke, et al.
(författare)
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A cost-effectiveness analysis of screening for silent atrial fibrillation after ischaemic stroke.
- 2015
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Ingår i: Europace. - : Oxford University Press. - 1099-5129 .- 1532-2092. ; 17:2, s. 207-14
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIMS: The purpose of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of two screening methods for detection of silent AF, intermittent electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings using a handheld recording device, at regular time intervals for 30 days, and short-term 24 h continuous Holter ECG, in comparison with a no-screening alternative in 75-year-old patients with a recent ischaemic stroke.METHODS AND RESULTS: The long-term (20-year) costs and effects of all alternatives were estimated with a decision analytic model combining the result of a clinical study and epidemiological data from Sweden. The structure of a cost-effectiveness analysis was used in this study. The short-term decision tree model analysed the screening procedure until the onset of anticoagulant treatment. The second part of the decision model followed a Markov design, simulating the patients' health states for 20 years. Continuous 24 h ECG recording was inferior to intermittent ECG in terms of cost-effectiveness, due to both lower sensitivity and higher costs. The base-case analysis compared intermittent ECG screening with no screening of patients with recent stroke. The implementation of the screening programme on 1000 patients resulted over a 20-year period in 11 avoided strokes and the gain of 29 life-years, or 23 quality-adjusted life years, and cost savings of €55 400.CONCLUSION: Screening of silent AF by intermittent ECG recordings in patients with a recent ischaemic stroke is a cost-effective use of health care resources saving costs and lives and improving the quality of life.
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| 8. |
- Själander, Sara, et al.
(författare)
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Atrial fibrillation patients do not benefit from acetylsalicylic acid
- 2014
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Ingår i: Europace. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1532-2092 .- 1099-5129. ; 16:5, s. 631-638
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Oral anticoagulation is the recommended treatment for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. Notwithstanding, many patients are treated with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) as monotherapy. Our objective was to investigate if atrial fibrillation patients benefit from ASA as monotherapy for stroke prevention. Retrospective study of patients with a clinical diagnosis of atrial fibrillation between 1 July 2005 and 1 January 2009 in the National Swedish Patient register, matched with data from the National Prescribed Drugs register. Endpoints were ischaemic stroke, thrombo-embolic event, intracranial haemorrhage, and major bleeding. The study population consisted of 115 185 patients with atrial fibrillation, of whom 58 671 were treated with ASA as monotherapy and 56 514 were without any antithrombotic treatment at baseline. Mean follow-up was 1.5 years. Treatment with ASA was associated with higher risk of ischaemic stroke and thrombo-embolic events compared with no antithrombotic treatment. Acetylsalicylic acid as monotherapy in stroke prevention of atrial fibrillation has no discernable protective effect against stroke, and may even increase the risk of ischaemic stroke in elderly patients. Thus, our data support the new European guidelines recommendation that ASA as monotherapy should not be used as stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation.
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| 9. |
- Svennberg, Emma, et al.
(författare)
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Safe automatic one-lead electrocardiogram analysis in screening for atrial fibrillation
- 2017
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Ingår i: Europace. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1099-5129 .- 1532-2092. ; 19:9, s. 1449-1453
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims Screening for atrial fibrillation (AF) using intermittent electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings can identify individuals at risk of AF-related morbidity in particular stroke. We aimed to validate the performance of an AF screening algorithm compared with manual ECG analysis by specially trained nurses and physicians (gold standard) in 30 s intermittent one-lead ECG recordings. Methods and results The STROKESTOP study is a mass-screening study for AF using intermittent ECG recordings. All individuals in the study without known AF registered a 30-s ECG recording in Lead I two times daily for 2 weeks, and all ECGs were manually interpreted. A computerized algorithm was used to analyse 80 149 ECG recordings in 3209 individuals. The computerized algorithm annotated 87.1% (n = 69 789) of the recordings as sinus rhythm/minor rhythm disturbances. The manual interpretation (gold standard) was that 69 758 ECGs were normal, making the negative predictive value of the algorithm 99.9%. The number of ECGs requiring manual interpretation in order to find one pathological ECG was reduced from 288 to 35. Atrial fibrillation was diagnosed in 84 patients by manual interpretation, in all of whom the algorithm indicated pathology. On an ECG level, 278 ECGs were manually interpreted as AF, and of these the algorithm annotated 272 ECGs as pathological (sensitivity 97.8%). Conclusion Automatic ECG screening using a computerized algorithm safely identifies normal ECGs in Lead I and reduces the need for manual evaluation of individual ECGs with >85% with 100% sensitivity on an individual basis.
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