“We’ll know within the next 3-4 years whether patients with high-risk profiles for atrial fibrillation but no clinically manifest atrial fibrillation should in fact be detected and should in fact be anticoagulated if atrial fibrillation is detected. Putting on my ‘Carnac The Magnificent’ hat [made famous by Johnny Carson on the ‘Tonight Show’], I predict the answer to both of those questions is likely to be yes,” the cardiologist added.
He noted that the Medtronic ICM, which is one-third the size of a AAA battery, is implanted via a small incision, which is then covered by a adhesive bandage.
“There’s no major surgical technique involved in putting [int ICM] in,” he said.
The REVEAL AF study was sponsored by Medtronic. Dr. Reiffel reported serving as a consultant to the company.
SOURCE: Reiffel JA et al. ACC 2018, Abstract 900-08.