Neuropsychological impact of cerebral microemboli in ablation of atrial fibrillation.
Clin Res Cardiol
; 104(3): 234-40, 2015 Mar.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-25336357
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Clinically silent lesions on cerebral magnet resonance imaging have been found in larger numbers after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) especially with phased radio frequency (pRF) using all ten electrodes. However, the neuropsychological effects of cerebral microembolism during the procedure remain unclear and data regarding this issue so far are inconsistent.METHODS:
Between August 2011 and June 2012, 76 patients undergoing their first PVI were randomized to ablation with either phased (40) or irrigated (36) radio frequency (iRF). A comprehensive neuropsychological test battery was performed the day before and after PVI as well as 6 months after ablation. The occurrence of cerebral microemboli during the procedure was performed via a transcranial Doppler ultrasound device.RESULTS:
PVI using pRF was associated with increased number of microembolic signals (MES) compared to iRF (1530.0 ± 979.8 vs. 645.7 ± 448.7; p < 0.001). Neuropsychological assessment did not reveal any changes in correlation with the used ablation technique. Besides an age-related effect there was a diffuse, sub-clinical impairment of neurologic function depending on age and the number of MES.CONCLUSIONS:
There was no clinical overt cognitive deficit and no significant difference in cognitive function correlating with the used ablation technique. The number of MES correlated with a subtle, diffuse post-procedural impairment of neuropsychological function highlighting the need to reduce microemboli during ablation.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Atrial Fibrillation
/
Catheter Ablation
/
Cognition
/
Cognition Disorders
/
Intracranial Embolism
Type of study:
Clinical_trials
/
Diagnostic_studies
/
Etiology_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Clin Res Cardiol
Journal subject:
CARDIOLOGIA
Year:
2015
Document type:
Article