Refining Stroke Risk Assessment in Patients with Device-Detected Atrial Fibrillation

Clinical atrial fibrillation (AF) is a well-established major risk factor for stroke and systemic embolism. Pivotal trials have shown that treatment with oral anticoagulation reduces the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in clinical AF with a simultaneous increase in the risk of major bleeding. To help balance the risk of stroke and bleeding in clinical AF, different prediction models including biomarkers and clinical features have been validated. Device-detected AF (DDAF) is also associated with an increased risk of stroke and systemic embolism, but not to the same extent as clinical AF. Two large randomised studies have found significant stroke risk reduction with direct oral anticoagulation in DDAF patients, yet also a significantly increased risk of major bleeding. To date, the question remains how to balance the thromboembolic risk reduction with oral anticoagulation and the increased risk of bleeding in patients with DDAF and to identify the right patients who may benefit from oral anticoagulant treatment.