Atrial Fibrillation Screening in Hong Kong − Where Are We Now?

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained heart rhythm disorder1 and has become a global epidemic especially in the developed countries with aging population. Although the risk of AF-related stroke can be markedly reduced by 64-70% by oral anticoagulation therapy,2 a major challenge remains to be the evasive nature of the condition to be diagnosed early for effective treatment. Around a quarter of patients have silent or asymptomatic AF3 and up to 25% of patients with AF-related stroke have AF diagnosed only at the time of stroke.