Digital recruitment and prevalence of screen-detected atrial fibrillation in nationwide patch-based ECG screening: the NORSCREEN randomized clinical trial.
M, B., MB, H., T, B., BL, G., PT, S., J, E., ML, L., P, S., J, G., & D, A. (2026). Digital recruitment and prevalence of screen-detected atrial fibrillation in nationwide patch-based ECG screening: the NORSCREEN randomized clinical trial.. Europace : European pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac electrophysiology : journal of the working grou. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euag140
M B, MB H, T B, BL G, PT S, J E, et al. Digital recruitment and prevalence of screen-detected atrial fibrillation in nationwide patch-based ECG screening: the NORSCREEN randomized clinical trial.. Europace : European pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac electrophysiology : journal of the working grou. 2026; doi: 10.1093/europace/euag140
M B, MB H, T B, et al. Digital recruitment and prevalence of screen-detected atrial fibrillation in nationwide patch-based ECG screening: the NORSCREEN randomized clinical trial.[J]. Europace : European pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac electrophysiology : journal of the working grou. 2026. DOI: 10.1093/europace/euag140.
@article{m2026,
author = {Boskovic M and Haraldsen MB and Berge T and Grenne BL and Skretteberg PT and Engdahl J and Løchen ML and Schuster P and Grimsmo J and Atar D},
title = {Digital recruitment and prevalence of screen-detected atrial fibrillation in nationwide patch-based ECG screening: the NORSCREEN randomized clinical trial.},
journal = {Europace : European pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac electrophysiology : journal of the working grou},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.1093/europace/euag140},
note = {PMID: 42669049},
}
TY - JOUR AU - Boskovic M AU - Haraldsen MB AU - Berge T AU - Grenne BL AU - Skretteberg PT AU - Engdahl J AU - Løchen ML AU - Schuster P AU - Grimsmo J AU - Atar D TI - Digital recruitment and prevalence of screen-detected atrial fibrillation in nationwide patch-based ECG screening: the NORSCREEN randomized clinical trial. T2 - Europace : European pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac electrophysiology : journal of the working grou PY - 2026 DO - 10.1093/europace/euag140 AN - PMID:42669049 ER -
AIMS: Conventional screening modalities for atrial fibrillation (AF) are often constrained by considerable resource and logistical demands. The randomized controlled NORwegian atrial fibrillation self-SCREENing (NORSCREEN) trial employs a fully digital approach to recruitment and implementation. The aim of this pre-specified analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of the fully digital recruitment and screening strategy, determine the prevalence of screen-detected AF, and assess initial adherence to therapeutic recommendations. METHODS AND RESULTS: Individuals aged ≥65 years with ≥1 additional risk factor for stroke were digitally recruited from the general Norwegian population and randomized 1:1 to screening or usual care. Exclusion criteria included prior AF, anticoagulation, implantable cardiac electronic devices, or lack of smartphone access. Participants allocated to screening were mailed a patch-based electrocardiogram sensor for site-less continuous monitoring over 7 days. Those with diagnosed AF were advised to contact their general practitioner to initiate appropriate therapy. A total of 551 555 Norwegian residents were digitally invited; of these, 139 596 (25.3%) completed the digital eligibility assessment, 74 956 (53.7%) were eligible, and 50 549 (67.4%) were randomized to screening or usual care. The median age was 75 years (inter-quartile range: 69-78), 23 445 (46.4%) were female, and the mean CHA2DS2-VA risk score was 2.6 ± 0.9. In the screening group, 19 723 (78.1%) completed the study procedures. Previously undiagnosed AF was identified in 382 (1.9%) screened participants, of whom 366 (95.8%) initiated anticoagulation therapy. CONCLUSION: The NORSCREEN trial demonstrates that fully digital, large-scale, site-less AF screening is feasible and effective in an at-risk population, identifying previously undiagnosed AF in 1.9% of screened individuals and showing high adherence to therapeutic recommendations. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05914883.