Serial Magnetic Resonance Imaging after Electrical Cardioversion of Recent Onset Atrial Fibrillation in Anticoagulant-Naive Patients - A Prospective Study Exploring Clinically Silent Cerebral Lesions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have a high incidence of cognitive impairment, which may be related to clinically silent microembolism causing cerebral infarctions.

Objective

To explore the occurrence and timing of silent brain lesions following electrical cardioversion (CV) of recent onset AF in anticoagulant-naïve patients and to study related effects on cognitive function and biomarkers of cerebral damage, S100b.

Methods

Patients with AF duration > 48 hours were prospectively included. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and S100b, were obtained prior, after and 7-10 days following CV. Trail making tests (TMT-A and TMT-B) and their difference, ΔΤΜΤ, were assessed prior to CV, 7-10 days and 30 days after CV.

Results

Forty-three patients (

SUBMITTER: Arvanitis P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8691313 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature