An ischemic stroke is caused by thrombosis of the cerebral vessels or by emboli from a proximal arterial source or the heart. This blockage deprives the brain cells of vital oxygen and nutrients leading to cell death. A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a neurological deficit lasting less than 24 hours, caused by cerebral ischemia.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a type of cardiac arrhythmia, which causes pooling of blood that leads to thrombosis formation and may cause a stroke or TIA. Patients with AF but no history of stroke have a stroke risk of 4.5% per year; however, anticoagulation therapy, can reduce this risk to 1.4% per year. Often patients with AF will not have any symptoms, and therefore they are difficult to identify. Roughly 30% to 40% of first-time ischemic strokes are due to an unknown cause, and are referred to as an embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). Patients who have experienced ESUS may have undiagnosed, or occult, AF. Determining whether they do have AF can be important to help prevent future strokes or TIAs.

Long-term electrocardiography (ECG) monitoring using outpatient cardiac monitoring devices can identify occult AF that is undetectable by other means. To this end, outpatient cardiac monitoring devices providing increased mobility for patients and the ability to transmit data wirelessly have been developed, and allow for longer-term surveillance outside the hospital setting. These devices include ambulatory Holter monitors, external loop recorders (ELRs), mobile cardiac outpatient telemetry (MCOT) devices, and implantable loop recorders (ILRs).

CADTH conducted a health technology assessment (HTA) on the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of cardiac monitoring devices in patients discharged from hospital following a stroke or TIA, to help inform decisions about these devices. Patient perspectives and experiences regarding the value and impact of outpatient AF cardiac monitoring devices were also considered.

Contents

• Abbreviations
• 1. Summary of Recommendation
  • 1.1 Technology
• 2. Methods
• 3. Detailed Recommendations
  • 3.1 Rationale
  • 3.2 Considerations
• 4. Background
  • 4.1 Research Questions
• 5. Summary of the Evidence
  • 5.1 Clinical Evidence
  • 5.2 Economic Evidence
  • 5.3 Patient Preference and Experience Evidence
• References
• Appendix 1 Health Technology Expert Review Panel

About CADTH: CADTH is an independent, not-for-profit organization responsible for providing Canada’s health care decision-makers with objective evidence to help make informed decisions about the optimal use of drugs, medical devices, diagnostics, and procedures in our health care system.

Funding: CADTH receives funding from Canada’s federal, provincial, and territorial governments, with the exception of Quebec. Views: The views expressed herein are those of CADTH and do not necessarily reflect the views of our funders.

Suggested citation:

Monitoring for atrial fibrillation in discharged stroke and transient ischemic attack patients: recommendations. Ottawa: CADTH; 2016 Mar. (CADTH optimal use report; vol.5, no.2c).

This report is prepared by the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH). This report contains a comprehensive review of existing public literature, studies, materials, and other information and documentation (collectively the “source documentation”) available to CADTH at the time it was prepared, and it was guided by expert input and advice throughout its preparation.

The information in this report is intended to help health care decision-makers, patients, health care professionals, health systems leaders, and policy-makers make well-informed decisions and thereby improve the quality of health care services. The information in this report should not be used as a substitute for the application of clinical judgment in respect to the care of a particular patient or other professional judgment in any decision-making process, nor is it intended to replace professional medical advice. While CADTH has taken care in the preparation of this report to ensure that its contents are accurate, complete, and up-to-date, CADTH does not make any guarantee to that effect. CADTH is not responsible for any errors or omissions or injury, loss, or damage arising from or as a result of the use (or misuse) of any information contained in or implied by the information in this report.

CADTH takes sole responsibility for the final form and content of this report. The statements, conclusions, and views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the view of Health Canada or any provincial or territorial government.

Production of this report is made possible through a financial contribution from Health Canada.