SAFER Study Reaches Major Milestone – Final Participant Screened
The SAFER study, the world’s largest randomized trial of atrial fibrillation screening, has now completed its screening phase, where participants were screened using Zenicor One (Thumb-ECG).
“This study is a significant milestone in preventive healthcare, and we expect it will shape the future of atrial fibrillation screening – both in the UK and internationally,” says Professor Jonathan Mant, University of Cambridge and lead investigator of the SAFER study.
A total of over 89,000 people across England participated in the study, with more than 23,000 screened using Zenicor One. More than 800 cases of atrial fibrillation were detected, and over 80% of these patients have started stroke-preventive treatment. The study, funded by the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), is investigating whether screening people aged 70 and older for atrial fibrillation can prevent strokes compared to current routine care and whether it is cost-effective.
“The SAFER study clearly demonstrates how Zenicor One can be used on a large scale within national screening programs. We are proud that our solution has contributed to this important research and that it can be used effectively in a real-world remote screening environment,” says Mats Palerius, CEO of Zenicor.
The study will now continue with a three-year follow-up phase, and final results are expected to be published by 2028.
“The proportion of detected atrial fibrillation cases is significantly higher than in the previously conducted STROKESTOP studies. As STROKESTOP has already shown to be cost-effective, we are very much looking forward to the three-year follow-up results from the SAFER study,” adds Mats Palerius.
The University of Cambridge has published a video in which Professor Jonathan Mant, lead for the SAFER program, explains more about the study:
https://www.phpc.cam.ac.uk/news/university-cambridge-study-becomes-largest-randomised-atrial-fibrillation-screening-trial-ever
About the SAFER Study
The SAFER study is a UK research program investigating screening as a method for detecting and diagnosing atrial fibrillation. The aim of the project is to determine whether screening for atrial fibrillation can prevent strokes compared to current routine care, and whether it is cost-effective. The screening is carried out using Zenicor One (Thumb-ECG). The study’s findings are expected to guide the implementation of future screening programs.
For more information about SAFER, visit: https://www.safer.phpc.cam.ac.uk
About Zenicor
Zenicor Medical Systems was founded in 2003 and is a leader in the development of systems and care pathways for arrhythmia diagnostics and stroke prevention using ECG. Zenicor collaborates with healthcare providers to develop an integrated and optimized care pathway for arrhythmia investigation, with a strong focus on the patient and more efficient use of healthcare resources.
For more information, visit: www.zenicor.com
For further information, please contact:
Mats Palerius, CEO, Zenicor Medical Systems AB
+46 8 442 68 60 | mats.palerius@zenicor.se
High-resolution images for download: http://zenicor.com/pressmaterial
