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2025 AF Symposium
Abstract: Predicting and Preventing A-Fib with Insertab Cardiac Monitors
The 2025 AF Symposium printed program includes a section of abstracts with short summaries of current AF research. I found Abstract AFS2025-05 of interest as I have a Medtronic Insertable Cardiac Monitor (ICM) myself.
The abstract is “AF burden patterns and personalized prediction of healthcare utilization: Primary results from DEFINE Afib study” and was submitted by Dr. Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy, Kansas City Heart Institute. The DEFINE AFib study is a prospective, observational, post-market clinical study.
Dr Lakkireey and his colleagues described The DEFINE Afib study and how the Medtronic Insertab Cardiac Monitors (ICMs) may soon be used to both protect you from developing A-Fib and forewarn you of a significant A-Fib attack.
The DEFINE Afib study looked at patients with ICMs and a high or low risk of developing A-Fib health problems or a need for drugs.
Data from patients’ ICMs was monitored and analyzed using Artificial Intelligence algorithms to develop personalized risk assessments and proactive, higher quality care options.
Research analysts were able to predict A-Fib health care events and provide a better understanding of a particular patient’s needs and overall health. All data was confirmed by actual patient records.
Editor’s Comments
Editor’s CommentsBreakthrough to Predict and Prevent A-Fib: Medtronic’s Insertab Cardiac Monitors (ICMs) may become a major health breakthrough for A-Fib patients.
Many people now have an Insertable Cardiac Monitor (ICM) loop recorder. Imagine if an AI algorithm can predict for your EP, for example, that you’re getting close to having a stroke and what to do about it.
ICMs Are Easy to Insert: My EP inserted my LINQ ICM in his office in less than 20 minutes under local anesthetic. It’s not surgery. The ICM is inserted just under the skin of the left breast. I can’t even feel mine unless I search for it with my finger.
What A-Fib Patients Should Know: If you have the Medtronic LINQ ICM, the algorithms are automatically applied in the cloud; patients wearing the devices are not required to take any additional steps.
Should you have an ICM? Discuss with your EP. For me, one major advantage is the peace of mind knowing I’m in sinus, that I’m not in silent A-Fib.
