Opportunistic screening for atrial fibrillation in elderly patients who get echocardiography for other indications could improve detection rates and reduce complications, researchers suggest.

The findings from an Australian observational study could also inform the implementation of population screening for atrial fibrillation (AF), they say.

In the study, conducted in Victoria and Tasmania, 445 asymptomatic elderly patients (mean age 70) who underwent echocardiography for risk evaluation were followed for an average of 15 months for incident AF, which was diagnosed by primary care physicians or by using a single-lead, portable ECG device.

Just over half of participants were women (55%) and all had at least one risk factor for AF, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes or obesity.