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Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
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Association between heart and dementia… keep an eye on the left atrium

Pierfranco Terrosu1

  • 1SICGe-Italian Society of Geriatric Cardiology, Italy.

European Heart Journal Supplements : Journal of the European Society of Cardiology
|November 16, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Atrial fibrillation increases dementia risk through multiple factors. Therapies targeting atrial fibrillation may protect against cognitive decline by improving heart function and preventing brain damage.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation is linked to higher risks of cognitive impairment and dementia.
  • The exact mechanisms are multifactorial, involving heart and brain conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the relationship between atrial fibrillation and dementia.
  • To understand potential therapeutic strategies for dementia prevention in AF patients.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of current understanding.
  • Analysis of proposed mechanisms linking atrial fibrillation to cognitive decline.

Main Results:

  • Atrial fibrillation contributes to dementia risk via atrial myopathy, embolism, and reduced cerebral blood flow.
  • Comorbidities like vascular sclerosis and inflammation exacerbate the risk.

Conclusions:

  • Atrial fibrillation treatment may offer dementia protection by preventing atrial changes, embolism, and improving brain perfusion.
  • Further randomized trials are essential to confirm these links and optimize therapies.

Keywords:
Atrial fibrillationCerebral blood flowDementia

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