VIDEO: Device detects more atrial fibrillation, but when is intervention necessary?

SAN DIEGO – After 6 months, Medtronic’s Reveal XT implant picked up atrial fibrillation in 8.6% of cryptogenic stroke patients. Standard monitoring found it in 1.4%, according to company data presented at the International Stroke Conference. Devices from Medtronic and other companies are going to make detection of asymptomatic atrial fibrillation more common, raising questions about when to intervene. Cardiologist Rod Passman, an investigator for the company, and neurologist Steven Greenberg shared their thoughts on the issue.