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Atrial fibrillation

Prevalence
Causes
Clinical features
Investigations
Therapy
Prevention
Prognosis
Clinical features

Measure the rate using the apical pulse d  

Why?

  • Measuring the apical pulse is more accurate than measuring the radial pulse (on average by 10 beats/minute). Both however underestimate the true rate. d
  • Measuring the pulse for 60 seconds is slightly more accurate than 15 or 30 seconds, but only by 2 beats/minute. d

Expiry date: February 2003
Levels of Evidence used in grading these guides

Authors   CM   Ball , N   Shenker
Reviewer   R G   Hart
CAT Writers   CM   Ball , N   Shenker , CJ   Wotton