PO-01-012 THE IMPACT OF CEREBRAL MICROBLEEDS ON COGNITIVE DECLINE IN PATIENTS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATIO

Abstract

The prevalence of cerebral microbleeds is higher in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) than in those without AF. Cognitive decline may be associated with cerebral microbleeds. We aimed to investigate the association of cerebral microbleeds with cognitive function in patients with AF. We prospectively collected 36 patients with AF and 38 non-AF controls with AF from multicenter in Taiwan. Six-monthly follow-ups were conducted with participants. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on all participants at baseline to check for cerebral microbleeds. The cognitive function of the patients was evaluated at both the baseline and follow-up visits. Generalized estimating equations were used to account for repeated measurements and different enrollment sites. The prevalence of microbleed in MRI was higher in patients with AF than the controls (Table 1). After multivariable adjustment, AF (β: -0.74, 95% CI: -1.26- -0.22) was associated with decreased cognitive function (MoCA) in short-term memory compared than non-AF controls. MRI revealed more cerebral microbleeds (β: 1.13, 95% CI: 0.04-2.22; Table 1) in AF patients than non-AF controls. In patients with AF, predictors of the declined MoCA were the presence of more microbleeds in brain MRIs, old ischemic strokes, depression, thyroid disease history, current smoking status, and alcohol consumption. The MoCA scores were higher when quality of life (QoL) in the psychological and environment domains was higher (Table 2). The prevalence of microbleed in MRI was higher in patients with AF. The MoCA score declined in AF patients with cerebral microbleeds, and was associated with old ischemic strokes, thyroid disease, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Patients at higher risk of cognitive decline should be considered for health interventions to prevent future dementia.