title: Screening for atrial fibrillation: sensitivity and specificity of a new methodology.
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.
authors.affiliation: Wales Postgraduate Deanery, Neuadd Meirionydd, Heath Park, Cardiff. malcolm_lewis@btinternet.com
authors.forename: Malcolm
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Dawood
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: Clive
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Weston
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bowes
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011674:Pulse; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity