Screening for atrial fibrillation: sensitivity and specificity of a new methodology.
cross_sectional · Level IV
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 21401988.
- Also identified by DOI 10.3399/bjgp11X548956 and PMC identifier PMC1115492.
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Abstract
There is no comprehensive screening programme for atrial fibrillation (AF) in either the UK or the US. This paper describes a simple new technology that could contribute to such a universal screening programme. The work analyses the utility of a new instrument that uses plethysmographic analysis of finger-tip pulse in the detection of AF. Comparative analysis of the instrument with the 'gold-standard' diagnostic method was undertaken in 594 patients. With the instrument set to detect all cases of AF (100% sensitivity), a specificity of 91.9% (8.1% false positives) was obtained. The authors conclude that the instrument described provides an accurate and reliable screening tool for AF, filling a gap in the current process of early detection in the community.