Sophia Antipolis – April 24, 2021: Atrial fibrillation can be detected during annual foot exams in patients with diabetes. This is evident from research presented today at EHRA 2021, an online scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) .1
“In our study, one in six patients with diabetes had previously undiagnosed atrial fibrillation,” said study author Dr. Ilias Kanellos from the European University of Cyprus, Nicosia. “This provides an opportunity to offer treatment to prevent subsequent strokes.”
Diabetes is an independent risk factor for atrial fibrillation.2 The prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias is at least twice as high in patients with diabetes as in those without diabetes. Although people with atrial fibrillation are five times more likely to have a stroke, anticoagulant drugs are an effective preventive therapy.
Annual foot exams are recommended for patients with diabetes. This is because elevated blood sugar causes poor circulation, nerve damage, and numbness and can ultimately lead to a foot amputation if problems go undetected.
Dr. Kanellos said, “The annual exam includes palpating the arteries in the feet to see if there is healthy blood flow. During this exam, we found that some patients had an irregular rhythm and decided its usefulness in diagnosing atrial fibrillation to investigate. “”
Two podiatrists and six podiatrists were trained to identify rhythm abnormalities during the palpation of the foot arteries. They were also shown how to confirm their results using a portable Doppler ultrasound machine.
The 12-month observational study included 300 patients with diabetes who attended their annual foot screening appointments. Patients with rhythm abnormalities during the pulse scanning of their foot arteries were subjected to Doppler ultrasound to verify the observations.
The average age of the participants was 60 years. There were 180 men and 120 women. The researchers found that 51 patients (17%) had previously undiagnosed atrial fibrillation. The arrhythmia was found in a similar proportion of men and women. Patients were advised to see a cardiologist for an electrocardiogram (EKG) to improve the diagnosis and to discuss treatment.
Dr. Kanellos said, “The study found a simple, fast and inexpensive way to identify patients with diabetes whose rhythm disturbance was unknown to them. This intervention has the potential to prevent strokes and preserve the quality of life for this group of patients.”
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References and Notes
1 Abstract: Routine Podiatry Assessment as a Potential Preventive Tool for Atrial Fibrillation Screening in Diabetic Patients.
2Hindricks G., Potpara T., Nikolaos Dagres N. et al. 2020 ESC guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of atrial fibrillation, developed in collaboration with the European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery (EACTS). Eur Heart J. 2021; 42: 373- 498
Via the European Heart Rhythm Association
The European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) is a branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). The aim is to improve patients’ quality of life and reduce sudden cardiac death by limiting the effects of cardiac arrhythmias.
About the EHRA Congress # EHRA2021
EHRA 2021 is the online annual congress of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).
About the European Society of Cardiology
The European Society of Cardiology brings together health professionals from more than 150 countries to advance cardiovascular medicine and help people live longer, healthier lives.
Information for journalists on registering for EHRA 2021
EHRA 2021 will take place online from April 23rd to 25th.
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