Key result
AF catheter ablation is linked to ~30% lower risk of cognitive impairment vs medical management.
Why the study?
The association between catheter ablation treatment versus medical management and cognitive impairment among older adults with atrial fibrillation was not well understood.
Does catheter ablation prevent cognitive impairment in older adults with atrial fibrillation?
Cohort (n=887)
Yes
Does catheter ablation prevent cognitive impairment in older adults with atrial fibrillation?
Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in older adults may be associated with a lower likelihood of cognitive impairment over 2 years compared to medical management.
No practice change for AF ablation to preserve cognition; leaves open causal benefit in RCTs.
Objectives: To examine the associations between catheter ablation treatment (CA) vs. medical management and cognitive impairment among older adults with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: Ambulatory patients who had AF, were ≥65-years-old, and were eligible to receive oral anticoagulation could be enrolled into the SAGE (Systematic Assessment of Geriatric Elements)-AF study from internal medicine and cardiology clinics in Massachusetts and Georgia between 2016 and 2018. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) tool at baseline, 1-, and 2 years. Cognitive impairment was defined as a MoCA score ≤ 23. Multivariate-adjusted logistic regression of longitudinal repeated measures was used to examine associations between treatment with CA vs. medical management and cognitive impairment. Conclusion: In this 2-year longitudinal prospective cohort study participants who underwent CA for AF before enrollment were less likely to have cognitive impairment than those who had not undergone
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Srichawla et al. (2024) conducted a cohort in Atrial fibrillation (n=887). Catheter ablation vs. Medical management (rate and/or rhythm control) was evaluated on Cognitive impairment (MoCA score ≤ 23) at 2 years (aOR 0.70, 95% CI 0.50-0.97, p=0.0002). Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation was associated with a 30% lower odds of cognitive impairment over 2 years compared to medical management (aOR 0.70).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: