Cand.med. Edvard Liljedahl Sandberg at Institute of Clinical Medicine will be defending the thesis “Screening for atrial fibrillation: insights from the Norwegian Atrial Fibrillation Self-Screening Pilot Study” for the degree of PhD (Philosophiae Doctor).
Adjudication committee
- First opponent: Docent Emma Svennberg, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
- Second opponent: Head of Department Ole Christian Mjølstad, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim
- Third member and chair of the evaluation committee: Professor Arnljot Tveit, University of Oslo
Chair of the Defence
Professor Henrik Holmstrøm, University of Oslo
Principal Supervisor
Jarle Jortveit, Hospital of Southern Norway
Summary
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major risk factor for stroke, heart failure, and dementia, yet many individuals remain undiagnosed due to its often asymptomatic nature. This PhD project evaluated the diagnostic accuracy, feasibility, and clinical impact of digital self-screening for AF using the Norwegian-developed ECG247 Smart Heart Sensor.
A study comparing ECG247 with conventional Holter monitoring demonstrated that the sensor has high diagnostic accuracy while being significantly more user-friendly. Building on these findings, a large-scale study including over 2,000 participants aged 65 and older showed that a fully digital self-screening program was both feasible and effective in detecting previously unknown AF. Additionally, research confirmed that individuals diagnosed with AF through self-screening followed clinical recommendations, as 95% consulted their general practitioner, and 87% initiated anticoagulation therapy. Another study explored the use of ECG247 in homecare settings, highlighting both the potential and challenges of implementing digital AF screening in frail older adults. While ECG recordings were successfully obtained, recruitment posed a significant barrier, underlining the need for tailored strategies in vulnerable populations.
This research highlights the potential of digital health solutions to improve AF detection and management while reducing strain on healthcare services. The project has received NOK 20 million in funding for further development and has helped establish the world’s largest digital self-screening program for AF using continuous ECG monitoring.
