Co-prevalence of carotid stenosis and coronary artery disease in Chinese patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation:

ObjectivesTo investigate the co-prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and carotid stenosis and to determine predictors related to CAD in Chinese patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), presenting without previously diagnosed or excluded CAD.MethodsConsecutive patients with PAF were recruited. CAD was evaluated using multislice computed tomography. Intima–media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery was evaluated via ultrasonography.ResultsA total of 62/192 (32.3%) patients had CAD. Carotid stenosis was observed in 26/192 (13.5%) patients. The co-prevalence of carotid stenosis and CAD was 7.8% (15/192). The prevalence of carotid stenosis was 8.5%, 16.7%, 25.0%, and 41.7% in patients with zero-, one-, two-, and three-vessel CAD, respectively. Diabetes mellitus, maximal IMT and hyperhomocysteinaemia were independently related to the presence of CAD.ConclusionsThe prevalence of CAD was 32.3% in Chinese patients with PAF. Carotid stenosis and CAD co-occurred in 7.8% of patients, and the preval...