Table 5 Open in new tab Benefits and...

Table 5

Benefits and risk of screening for atrial fibrillation (modified from Guidelines 2020¹⁰)

Benefits	Risk	Exploring convergence points
Clinical Prevention of: Stroke using OAC if indicated Symptoms if treatment effective to reduce the symptomatic crisis AF-related morbidity/mortality: heart failure Conditions discovered as a consequence of the screening	Stress and anxiety before and after the test. Possible divergence of patient interest vs. healthcare provider.	Evaluate patient’s interest, values, goals, and preferences before proposing a screening test. Clarification that patient decision will be respected. Clarify possible misperceptions regarding to the procedure.
Biological Reversal/prevention: Electrical/mechanical Atrial remodelling Tachycardia-induced myocardiopathy	False positives and ECG misinterpretation may promote overdiagnosis and overtreatment and also complications secondary to a positive test. Risk of harm and increase of cost. Bleeding secondary to OAC treatment.	Establish an open discussion regarding the nature of AF and potential negative and positive aspects of the procedure.

Benefits	Risk	Exploring convergence points
Clinical Prevention of: Stroke using OAC if indicated Symptoms if treatment effective to reduce the symptomatic crisis AF-related morbidity/mortality: heart failure Conditions discovered as a consequence of the screening	Stress and anxiety before and after the test. Possible divergence of patient interest vs. healthcare provider.	Evaluate patient’s interest, values, goals, and preferences before proposing a screening test. Clarification that patient decision will be respected. Clarify possible misperceptions regarding to the procedure.
Biological Reversal/prevention: Electrical/mechanical Atrial remodelling Tachycardia-induced myocardiopathy	False positives and ECG misinterpretation may promote overdiagnosis and overtreatment and also complications secondary to a positive test. Risk of harm and increase of cost. Bleeding secondary to OAC treatment.	Establish an open discussion regarding the nature of AF and potential negative and positive aspects of the procedure.