Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common forms of abnormal heart rhythm and a major cause of stroke – which is the third biggest cause of premature death in the UK. People with AF are five times more likely to suffer a stroke and AF contributes to around one in every five strokes.

It is estimated that around 450 strokes and 150 deaths could be avoided every year across the East Midlands thanks to a programme to test more patients for AF being led by the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (EMAHSN), in partnership with the East Midlands Clinical Network, Public Health England East Midlands and Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs).

The initiative aims to improve the diagnosis of patients with AF by equipping GP practices across the region with electronic AF detection devices.

The project launched in February 2018 with GP practices in 16 East Midlands CCG areas offered the AliveCor devices. In the first month following launch (February to March 2018), 4684 AF tests have been performed across the East Midlands thanks to the provision of these EMAHSN-funded AliveCor devices. As a result, 98 patients have been identified at risk of AF and been given medical advice and/or treatment.

The AF devices are iOS and Android compatible and deliver an accurate reading in 30 seconds. Patients simply place their fingers on the device - linked to a smartphone or tablet - and within seconds it identifies if they are at risk of AF, allowing swift action to be taken to help avoid the risk of a life-threatening stroke.

Having AF increases the risk of developing a blood clot inside the heart which can travel through your bloodstream to your brain and cause a stroke. AF can be treated by drugs called anticoagulants, which thin the blood to reduce the chance of clots forming.

People are more likely to die if their stroke is caused by AF, and AF-related strokes also lead to longer hospital stays, increasing the costs of NHS treatment and care.

Currently, people are tested for AF by a health professional checking their pulse by hand. Whilst this is effective, the new devices are more sensitive to pulse variations and allow patients to be tested quickly and easily at their local GP practice.

The East Midlands Clinical Network has estimated that improving diagnosis and management of AF in the East Midlands could avoid costs of £6.3m for hospital admissions and £4.5m for social care each year.

Karen Glover, Head of Clinical Programmes at the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network said: “We’re keen to support World Heart Rhythm Week and are delighted that so many of the GP practices receiving these AF devices have made full use of them and increased their AF detection rates.

“I’d encourage all East Midlands GPs to promote this simple and non-invasive test to their patients. AliveCor can give an immediate indication of AF risk so treatment and management can be discussed with patients there and then. This is an easy way to test for AF in primary care and can have a real impact in preventing stroke deaths in our region.”

ENDS.

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Note to editors:

The East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (EMAHSN) is one of 15 Academic Health Science Networks in England. EMAHSN brings together the NHS, universities, industry and social care to transform the health of the region’s 4.6M residents and stimulate wealth. Current priorities focus on identifying and spreading innovations that address challenges including cancer, diabetes, mental health, atrial fibrillation and liver disease. www.healthinnovation-em.org.uk 

East Midlands Clinical Networks enables patients, professionals and organisations to work together, across the East Midlands, on large and lasting programmes of quality improvement in four areas of major healthcare challenge. The network brings the right people and expertise together to help drive improvements (www.emsenate.nhs.uk).

Clinical Commissioning Groups to receive the devices:

• Corby CCG
• Lincolnshire East CCG
• Nottingham North & East CCG
• Nottingham West CCG
• Nottingham City CCG
• Rushcliffe CCG
• South Lincolnshire CCG
• Southern Derbyshire CCG

Supporting partners

• British Heart Foundation, Stroke Association and Arrhythmia Alliance
• Health Education England East Midlands
• NHS Right Care
• NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care East Midlands
• Public Health England East Midlands
• Pfizer

Background data

- The East Midlands has higher rates of Atrial Fibrillation than the England average (1.79% compared to 1.71% - March 2016). AF rates range from 0.94% in the Leicester City CCG area to 2.46% in the Lincolnshire CCG area. There are a higher proportion of people aged 50 years and older in East Midlands compared with the national average and AF is more common the older you get.

- Despite the improvements made within East Midlands to date, there are still a number of significant challenges to be met in stroke prevention in Atrial Fibrillation:

- Across East Midlands 70% of the estimated AF population are diagnosed – however this ranges across CCGs from 56% to 77%.

- The estimated total of AF is 120,428 (2.54%) compared to diagnosed population as of March 2016: 84,245 (1.79%)

- An estimated 36,183 AF patients are undiagnosed (based on Public Health Estimates published February 2017).