Premature atrial contraction physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Mugilan Poongkunran M.B.B.S [2]

Premature atrial contraction patients will demonstrate either premature pulse waves or pauses upon palpation of their peripheral pulse.

• The pulse may feel irregular in a patient who actively has frequent premature atrial complexes. Palpation of the peripheral pulse will demonstrate either premature pulse waves or pauses.
• Auscultation of the heart may detect early heart sounds or pauses. However patients with heart disease may show a variation in the intensity and timing of their cardiac murmurs when they have PACs.

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