Ischemic brain infarcts, white matter hyperintensities, and cognitive impairment are increased in patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The interrelationships between atrial fibrillation (AF), brain lesions and cognitive function are poorly understood. We aimed to investigate the relationship of AF with brain lesions and cognition.

Methods

We enrolled 1,480 patients with and 959 without AF in a multicenter prospective study (Swiss-AF; NCT02105844). We assessed brain structure, and cognition using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to assess large non-cortical and cortical infarcts (LNCCI), small non-cortical infarcts (SNCI), white matter hyperintensities (WMH), and microbleeds. Using causal mediation analyses, we investigated the direct (lesion-independent) and indirect (lesion-mediated) effects of AF on cognition.

Results

Mean age

SUBMITTER: Krisai P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12916941 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature