Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 9, 2025

Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: July 20, 2022
Markers of left atrial cardiopathy and cognitive function trajectories in adults aged ≥45 years without atrial
Zhe Li1, Danielle Marion1, Jessica Blair2
1University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
Introduction:
The study aims to investigate associations between markers of atrial cardiopathy and cognitive function trajectories in adults without prior AF.
Methods:
The study included 4,486 participants from the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study. Markers of atrial cardiopathy included atrial premature complexes and N-Terminal pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT pro-BNP). Cognitive status was measured using the Six-Item Screener (SIS). Cognitive status trajectories were identified using latent class growth models.
Results:
Three unique cognitive trajectories over the 8-year follow-up were identified: 86.7% showed a normal and stable trajectory of SIS score, 7.6% showed a progressively decreasing trajectory, and 5.7% showed a dramatic decreasing trajectory. Age, black participants, and antidepression drugs were significantly associated with the "dramatic decrease" trajectory. Elevated NT pro-BNP was significantly associated with the "dramatic decrease" trajectory.
Discussion:
Markers of left atrial cardiopathy may have significant implications for early diagnosis and prevention of cognitive impairment.
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