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Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 20 and up

Atrial fibrillation screening for people with abnormal echocardiograms

Official title: Screening of Atrial Fibrillation/Arrhythmia Events in Patients With Abnormal Echocardiographic Parameters: The Randomized, Prospective SAFE-ECHO Study Design and Rationale

Run by Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan · NCT07278089 · Data updated 2026-11-12

We will see if using certain abnormal echocardiogram measurements to select people for scheduled extended ECG monitoring finds more atrial fibrillation than usual care.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages20 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment3000 (estimated)
SponsorTaipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan
Government
Locations1 site (Taipei)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMarch 17, 2025
Main results expectedDecember 31, 2031
Study endsDecember 31, 2032
Registry record updatedDecember 11, 2025
Trial IDNCT07278089 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults without prior AF who have abnormal echocardiogram findings such as left atrial enlargement, left ventricular hypertrophy, elevated E/e', moderate–severe diastolic dysfunction, significant valvular disease, or heart failure as defined in the criteria.

Probably not a fit

Patients with a history of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, recent urgent coronary interventions, uncontrolled hyperthyroidism, end‑stage renal disease, unstable hemodynamics, major comorbidities with life expectancy under one year, or congenital heart disease are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this screening approach.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This interventional study enrolls patients without prior atrial fibrillation who meet specific abnormal echocardiographic criteria (for example left atrial enlargement, left ventricular hypertrophy, elevated E/e', grade II–III diastolic dysfunction, significant valvular disease, or heart failure). Enrolled participants receive scheduled extended ECG monitoring and the AF detection yield is compared with contemporary care. The primary focus is feasibility of using predefined echo thresholds as triggers for screening and quantifying incremental AF detection. All enrollment and monitoring occur at Taipei Veterans General Hospital.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could find atrial fibrillation earlier in high-risk patients so they can start treatment to reduce stroke and other complications.

How similar studies have gone: Extended ECG monitoring has been shown in other trials to increase AF detection, and echocardiographic markers like left atrial enlargement and elevated filling pressures are known predictors of AF, though prospectively using specific echo thresholds to guide screening is relatively novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria: patients who met any of the following criteria

1. LAE: defined as LAD ≥ 45 mm or LAVI \> 34 ml/m2;
2. LVH: defined as LV septal or posterior wall thickness ≥ 15 mm;
3. E/e' \> 14;
4. grade II or III diastolic dysfunction;
5. VHD;
6. HF: defined as LVEF \< 40% or LVEF ≥40% with clinical presentation compatible with Framingham criteria, New York Heart Association functional classification II-IV, and N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) \> 125 pg/ml.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with a history of AF or atrial flutter, congenital heart disease, acute coronary syndrome undergoing urgent percutaneous coronary intervention within 3 months, uncontrolled hyperthyroidism, end-stage renal disease, unstable hemodynamic status or any known major comorbidities or medical conditions with expected life expectancy less than 1 year are excluded.

Where it's running

  • Taipei Veterans General Hospital
    Taipei, Taiwan     Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
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Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.