Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a strong risk factor for recurrent stroke after an ischemic stroke. Conventional diagnostic tools for assessment of heart rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation suffer from limited availability, limited test duration time, and usability challenges. The Norwegian ECG247 Smart Heart Sensor address these challenges and simplify the assessment of heart rhythm disorders. The COVID-19 pandemic has further enhanced the need for improved out-of-hospital investigation of arrhythmias. The ECG247 systems have incorporated algorithms for arrhythmia detections. The approach using this device may improve AF-diagnostics using less health related human resources, and be more user-friendly and empowering for the patient.

The general aim of The Southern Norway Post-Stroke Atrial Fibrillation Study is to investigate the continuous patch ECG monitor (ECG247) AF screening device in an acute stroke population. Our primary goal is to improve the diagnostics of atrial fibrillation in this group of patients, regarding both the precision and efficiency of the diagnostic process. We therefore intend to analyze if the new device performs as well as a traditional screening for atrial fibrillation and the resources used in the screening process, including the time used until diagnosis for the patient and the human resources used in the diagnostic process.

The Southern Norway Post-Stroke Atrial Fibrillation Study includes all suspected ischemic stroke patients admitted to the stroke unit at Sørlandet Sykehus, if indication for AF screening is present. When diagnosing AF or other rhythm disorders, we offer the participants follow-up and treatment according to national and international clinical guidelines.