1. What is Pulse Deficit?

Pulse deficit is the difference between the apical pulse (heard at the heart apex) and the radial pulse (felt at the wrist). It occurs when some heartbeats aren't strong enough to create a peripheral pulse wave.

2. How to Calculate Pulse Deficit

The calculation is simple:

Where:

• Apical Pulse — Heartbeats counted by auscultation (beats/min)
• Radial Pulse — Pulses felt at the radial artery (beats/min)

Procedure: Two clinicians simultaneously measure for 60 seconds - one listens at the heart apex while the other palpates the radial pulse.

3. Clinical Significance

Details: A pulse deficit indicates inefficient cardiac contraction, commonly seen in atrial fibrillation, premature beats, or other arrhythmias. The greater the deficit, the more severe the cardiac dysfunction.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both pulse rates in beats per minute. The apical pulse should always be equal to or greater than the radial pulse.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a normal pulse deficit?
A: Normally 0. Any deficit is abnormal and warrants investigation.

Q2: What conditions cause pulse deficit?
A: Mainly atrial fibrillation, but also frequent ectopic beats, heart failure, and other arrhythmias.

Q3: How is pulse deficit measured clinically?
A: By simultaneous apical auscultation and radial palpation for 60 seconds by two clinicians.

Q4: Does pulse deficit correlate with disease severity?
A: Generally yes - larger deficits often indicate more severe cardiac dysfunction.

Q5: Can pulse deficit be measured automatically?
A: No, it requires simultaneous measurement of electrical and mechanical heart activity.