Should All Newly Diagnosed Cardiomyopathies be Screened for Coronary Artery Disease?

The authors provide an excellent overview of the rationale for screening all patients with a new diagnosis of cardiomyopathy for coronary artery disease.  This rationale includes the following:

• Two-thirds of patients with HF and reduced EF have CAD.
• Patients with CAD may deny angina, especially diabetics and females.
• Even without risk factors, more than 10% of HF patients have CAD.
• The important benefit of revascularization and secondary prevention in patients with CAD.