TCTMD -- Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) can detect coronary artery disease (CAD) in selected patients with atrial fibrillation (A-fib), according to research published online July 11, 2010, ahead of print in the European Heart Journal. Researchers led by Mohamed Marwan, MD, of the University of Erlangen (Erlangen, Germany), screened 110 consecutive patients with A-fib and no previously known CAD who were referred for diagnostic coronary angiography. Of these patients, 50 were excluded because of renal insufficiency, inability to maintain an adequate breath hold, or rapid A-fib that was non-responsive to beta-blocker therapy. The remaining 60 patients, whose mean age was 71 ± 7 years, underwent dual source CTA followed by invasive angiography within 24 hours.
