A campaign for information and diagnosis of atrial fibrillation: "pulse week"

Introduction and objectives: Atrial fibrillation occurs in 5%-15% of elderly patients and causes one-fourth to one-fifth of all cerebrovascular events. These patients are frequently asymptomatic. We conducted a public campaign aiming to evaluate the effectiveness of a program for information on and diagnosis of atrial fibrillation in individuals aged 65 years old or more from the primary care perspective.

Methods: We sent letters containing informative materials and an invitation to attend a special nurse appointment to all individuals≥65 years old, without a previous diagnosis of atrial fibrillation or flutter. Patients were from 3 specific areas in Pontevedra province. The procedures were performed according to a specially designed program called "Pulse Week" within 5 working days. A group of trained nurses obtained a brief medical history and performed pulse palpation for 15 s and blood pressure measurement. A complete 12-lead electrocardiogram was performed if arrhythmic pulsations were detected.

Results: A total of 8869 letters were sent. During the specified week, 1532 individuals were evaluated (877 women); the mean age was 72.5 (6.5) years old, 833 had hypertension (54%), 232 had diabetes (15%), 61 had previous stroke (4%) and 88 had had a myocardial infarction (6%). Electrocardiograms were performed in 187 patients. There were 17 patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation.

Conclusions: A public, 5-day campaign based on pulse palpation and targeting elderly individuals had little impact on the detection of new cases of atrial fibrillation in our environment.