Credits: 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
 
CME/CE Information and Claim Credit: https://www.pri-med.com/online-education/podcast/frankly-speaking-cme-261
 
Overview: Stroke is a major health problem, and the risk of stroke is five-times higher in individuals with atrial fibrillation (AF) than those without. AF can be asymptomatic or subclinical. In 18% of AF patients, the condition is only detected at the time of stroke. It is not known whether individuals whose AF is deterred via screening carry a similar risk to individuals with known AF. A recent randomized trial evaluated a screening program for AF in individuals at high risk of stroke; for individuals identified with AF, anticoagulation was given for stroke prevention.
 
Episode resource links:
Svendsen JH, Diederichsen SZ, Højberg S et al. Implantable loop recorder detection of atrial fibrillation to prevent stroke (The LOOP Study): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2021 Oct 23;398(10310):1507-1516. 

Guest: Alan Ehrlich MD, FAAFP
 
Music Credit: Richard Onorato