Device-Detected Subclinical Atrial Fibrillation: The Anesthesiologist's Perspective

A RECENT American Heart Association article published in Circulation in December 2019 discussed subclinical atrial fibrillation (SCAF). SCAF, per Noseworthy et al., is defined as asymptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes captured by various cardiac devices and confirmed by electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis. As more of these devices, including implantable cardiac, wearable, or intracardiac monitors, are implemented, the incidence of SCAF has and will continue to increase. SCAF presents a cardiologist with multiple quandaries, including the initiation of stroke prophylaxis, and if so, how to proceed.
Source: Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research