Currently, atrial fibrillation (AF) occupies one of the leading positions among cardiac arrhythmias. Given the steady trend towards an increase in the prevalence of risk factors and the development of early complications in the progression of AF, early detection of asymptomatic and short-term paroxysms of this arrhythmia is of particular relevance. Timely diagnosis of AF will certainly prevent the progression of electrophysiological and anatomical and morphological atrial remodeling, which will ensure the cessation of arrhythmia, turning into a nosological form, and carry out appropriate preventive measures. In the modern arsenal of a practicing physician, there is a fairly large list of methods for screening AF. Undoubtedly, the development of new technologies that allow for the rapid and early diagnosis of AF will expand, making a significant contribution to reducing the burden of AF in the population. Pocket, portable ECG recorders, patch monitors, smartphones, smartwatches, photoplethysmography signal analysis using a smartphone camera, and many other innovative developments in the field of screening for undiagnosed AF provide rapid detection of AF, allowing timely initiation of optimal medical therapy to avoid cardiovascular complications. The purpose of this review is to expand the understanding of the possibilities and choice of adequate methods for screening AF in real clinical practice.

Keywords: portable devices, electrocardiography, screening, atrial fibrillation