Duration of device-detected subclinical atrial fibrillation and occurrence of stroke in ASSERT

BACKGROUND: ASSERT demonstrated that subclinical atrial fibrillation (SCAF) is common in pacemaker patients without prior AF and is associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism. SCAF episodes vary in duration and little is known about the incidence of different durations of SCAF, or their prognosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: ASSERT followed 2580 patients receiving a pacemaker or ICD, aged >65 years with hypertension, …