Abstract 19599: Continuous versus 3 Weeks Intermittent ECG Monitoring for Detection of Subclinical Atrial Fibrillation in High-Risk Patients

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) often occurs in a subclinical form, which makes it difficult to detect. The effect of continuous versus intermittent rhythm monitoring to detect subclinical AF is poorly investigated in patients with age ≥ 65 years, hypertension (HTN) and diabetes mellitus (DM). This group of patients has increased risk of developing AF and in addition a high thromboembolic risk, if AF is present. Purpose: To investigate whether continuous monitoring using an implantable loop recorder (ILR) detects more episodes of subclinical AF than daily intermittent monitoring for 3 weeks in high-risk patients. Methods: A total of 82 outpatients ≥ 65 years (median age 71.3 years (IQR 67.4-75.1)) with DM and HTN, and no history of AF or any other cardiovascular disease, were consecutively included. All patients received an ILR and were followed for a median of 342 days (IQR 208-456). To compare continuous monitoring with intermittent monitoring, we used the device to simulate a 2 minutes daily handh...