Relationships of Overt and Silent Brain Lesions With Cognitive Function in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Publication

Relationships of Overt and Silent Brain Lesions With Cognitive Function in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Journal Paper/Review - Mar 12, 2019

Conen David, Sticherling Christian, Bonati Leo H, Ehret Georg, Moutzouri Elisavet, Fischer Urs, Monsch Andreas U, Stippich Christoph, Wuerfel Jens, Sinnecker Tim, Coslovsky Michael, Schwenkglenks Matthias, Kühne Michael, Osswald Stefan, Meyre Pascal, Blum Steffen, Rodondi Nicolas, Müller Andreas, Beer Juerg H, Ammann Peter, Moschovitis Giorgio, Auricchio Angelo, Hayoz Daniel, Kobza Richard, Shah Dipen, Novak Jan, Schläpfer Jürg, Di Valentino Marcello, Aeschbacher Stefanie, Swiss-AF Study Investigators

Citation

Conen D, Sticherling C, Bonati L, Ehret G, Moutzouri E, Fischer U, Monsch A, Stippich C, Wuerfel J, Sinnecker T, Coslovsky M, Schwenkglenks M, Kühne M, Osswald S, Meyre P, Blum S, Rodondi N, Müller A, Beer J, Ammann P, Moschovitis G, Auricchio A, Hayoz D, Kobza R, Shah D, Novak J, Schläpfer J, Di Valentino M, Aeschbacher S, Swiss-AF Study Investigators. Relationships of Overt and Silent Brain Lesions With Cognitive Function in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation. J Am Coll Cardiol 2019; 73:989-999.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

J Am Coll Cardiol 2019; 73

Publication Date

Mar 12, 2019

Issn Electronic

1558-3597

Pages

989-999

Brief description/objective

BACKGROUND
Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have an increased risk of cognitive decline, potentially resulting from clinically unrecognized vascular brain lesions.

OBJECTIVES
This study sought to assess the relationships between cognitive function and vascular brain lesions in patients with AF.

METHODS
Patients with known AF were enrolled in a multicenter study in Switzerland. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cognitive testing using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were performed in all participants. Large noncortical or cortical infarcts (LNCCIs), small noncortical infarcts (SNCIs), microbleeds, and white matter lesions were quantified by a central core laboratory. Clinically silent infarcts were defined as infarcts on brain MRI in patients without a clinical history of stroke or transient ischemic attack.

RESULTS
The study included 1,737 patients with a mean age of 73 ± 8 years (28% women, 90% taking oral anticoagulant agents). On MRI, LNCCIs were found in 387 patients (22%), SNCIs in 368 (21%), microbleeds in 372 (22%), and white matter lesions in 1715 (99%). Clinically silent infarcts among the 1,390 patients without a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack were found in 201 patients with LNCCIs (15%) and 245 patients with SNCIs (18%). The MoCA score was 24.7 ± 3.3 in patients with and 25.8 ± 2.9 in those without LNCCIs on brain MRI (p < 0.001). The difference in MoCA score remained similar when only clinically silent LNCCIs were considered (24.9 ± 3.1 vs. 25.8 ± 2.9; p < 0.001). In a multivariable regression model including all vascular brain lesion parameters, LNCCI volume was the strongest predictor of a reduced MoCA (β = -0.26; 95% confidence interval: -0.40 to -0.13; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS
Patients with AF have a high burden of LNCCIs and other brain lesions on systematic brain MRI screening, and most of these lesions are clinically silent. LNCCIs were associated with worse cognitive function, even among patients with clinically silent infarcts. Our findings raise the question of MRI screening in patients with AF.