Table 2. Diagnostic accuracy of pulse palpation for detecting atrial fibrillation depending on palpation parameters.

Palpation parameters		Diagnostic accuracy for detecting atrial fibrillation
Definition of positive palpation	Arterial territory	Sensitivity	Specificity	Balanced diagnostic accuracy
Irregular	Carotid	46%	92%	69%
	Radial	72%	90%	81%
	Carotid + Radial	66%	87%	77%
Irregular or “uncertain about pulse regularity”	Carotid	65%	80%	73%
	Radial	77%	88%	82%
	Carotid + Radial	73%	81%	77%
Irregular or “unable to palpate a pulse”	Carotid	63%	82%	73%
	Radial	74%	88%	81%
	Carotid + Radial	69%	85%	77%
Irregular, “uncertain about pulse regularity”, or “unable to palpate a pulse”	Carotid	82%	69%	75%
	Radial	79%	86%	83%
	Carotid + Radial	76%	79%	78%

The reference standard was established by 12-lead electrocardiography recorded immediately after pulse palpation.