Neurologic Biomarkers, Neuroimaging, and Cognitive Function in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the specific neurologic biomarkers, neuroimaging findings, and cognitive function in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing electrical cardioversion, compared to control subjects. This cross-sectional study included 25 patients with persistent AF undergoing electrical cardioversion and 16 age- and sex-matched control subjects. Plasma levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neurofilament light protein (NFL), and ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1), as well as parameters of neuroimaging and cognitive function, were compared between the groups. Neuroimaging was performed using the standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol. Cognitive function was assessed using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Cognitive Function Index. Further analysis of neurologic biomarkers was performed based on the subsequent electrical cardioversion. There was no significant difference in GFAP (median of 24.7 vs. 28.7 pg/mL, p = 0.347), UCH-L1 (median of 112.8 vs. 117.7 pg/mL, p = 0.885), and NFL (median of 14.2 vs. 15.4 pg/mL, p = 0.886) levels between AF patients and control subjects. Similarly, neuroimaging showed no between-group difference in large cortical and non-cortical lesions (n = 2, 8.0% vs. n = 0, 0.0%, p = 0.246), small non-cortical lesions (n = 5, 20.0% vs. n = 5, 31.3%, p = 0.413), white matter hyperintensity (n = 23, 92.0% vs. n = 14, 87.5%, p = 0.636), and thromboembolic lesions (n = 0, 0.0% vs. n = 1, 6.3%, p = 0.206). Cognitive assessment did not show any between-group difference in the PROMIS index (52.2 ± 9.6 vs. 51.2 ± 6.2, p = 0.706). Finally, there were no significant dynamics in neurologic biomarkers following electrical cardioversion (p > 0.05). This hypothesis-generating study did not find a significant difference in neurologic biomarkers, neuroimaging findings, or cognitive function between patients with persistent AF and controls. The restoration of sinus rhythm was not significantly associated with a change in neurologic biomarkers. Further powered longitudinal studies are needed to re-assess these findings in an AF population.

Association of Electrical Cardioversion with Brain Perfusion and Cognitive Function in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: The association of atrial fibrillation (AF) and brain perfusion (BP) has not been well-defined. This study aimed to determine the association of persistent AF with BP and cognition, in comparison to control subjects and with regards to electrical cardioversion (ECV). METHODS: This study compared 25 patients with persistent AF undergoing elective ECV with 16 age/sex-matched controls. We measured regional BP by using the magnetic resonance (MRI) arterial spin labelling technique. Cognitive function was assessed using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) cognitive function index. Measurements were performed at baseline and 6 weeks after ECV. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in BP between AF patients and control subjects (p > 0.05). Following the ECV, there was a significant improvement in BP in 15 patients who maintained sinus rhythm, while there was no significant change in the recurrence group (297 ± 24 before vs. 328 ± 37 after ECV, p = 0.008, and 297 ± 22 before vs. 307 ± 24 after ECV, p = 0.45, respectively). There was no difference in the cognitive assessment between AF patients and control subjects, as well as before and after ECV within the AF group (52.2 ± 9.6 vs. 51.2 ± 6.2, p = 0.71 and 53 ± 10 vs. 54 ± 9, p = 0.46, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study did not show difference in BP between persistent AF patients and matched control subjects. Restoration of sinus rhythm was associated with significantly improved BP. There was no association of ECV and changes in cognitive function.