Updated Approach to the Detection and Management of Atrial Fibrillation

In this lecture Dr Cotter reviews atrial fibrillation (AF), its growing incidence and the role it plays in stroke. Dr Cotter discusses the importance of detecting silent/asymptomatic AF in both the general population and post stroke population. He describes a variety of AF detection methods including: Opportunistic Pulse Palpation, Screen Detected AF, Finger Electrogram e.g. Kardia, Pacemaker Detection, Holter Monitoring, External Loop Recorders as well as Implantable Loop Recorders.

Having been involved in the initial studies for implantable loop recorders, Dr Cotter brings us through the published evidence in this area and provides an overview of the cardiac monitoring implant service in St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny. Dr Cotter also discusses the latest advances in the management of atrial fibrillation for stroke prevention.

Biography

Dr Cotter qualified in University College Cork and trained in Ireland and Cambridge, UK as a geriatrician and stroke physician. He completed his Doctorate at the University of Cambridge on cardiac causes of stroke, where he published the first series on the use of implantable loop recorder monitoring in cryptogenic stroke. He now works as a stroke physician in Kilkenny, where he has developed a Reveal LINQ implant service as a non-traditional implanter. He has a national role in developing stroke prevention with a focus on AF detection.