{"title":"Atrial fibrillation catheter ablation, brain glymphatic function, and cognitive performance.","authors":"Jiahuan Guo, Zhe Zhang, Xu Meng, Jing Jing, Yiran Hu, Yan Yao, Ligang Ding, Lihui Zheng, Xingquan Zhao","doi":"10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf036","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and aims: </strong>It remains unknown whether the brain glymphatic system, which is driven by the heartbeat-driven pulsation of arteries and is responsible for cerebral waste clearance, is impaired in atrial fibrillation (AF) and mediates cognitive dysfunction related to AF. The aim of this study was to assess brain glymphatic alterations in AF, their role in cognitive function, and whether catheter ablation can improve glymphatic activity.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this case-control and prospective before-and-after study, patients with AF and healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. Participants underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging and a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Glymphatic activity was quantified by diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) index. Magnetic resonance imaging was repeated after surgery in patients who underwent ablation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, 87 patients with AF and 44 HCs were enrolled. Compared with HCs, patients with AF had a lower ALPS index (P = .016). Nonparoxysmal AF patients showed lower ALPS index than both HCs (P = .002) and paroxysmal AF patients (P = .044). A lower ALPS index was associated with worse scores of Trail Making Test, Digit Symbol Substitution Test, Digit Span Test, and Stroop Colour and Word Test (all P < .05). Mediation analyses revealed that glymphatic activity was a mediator between AF and cognitive decline. Among the 50 patients who underwent ablation therapy, DTI-ALPS index was improved after surgery (P = .015).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Brain glymphatic function measured by DTI-ALPS index was impaired in patients with AF, mediates the association between AF and cognitive decline, and was improved after ablation therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":11976,"journal":{"name":"European Heart Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":37.6000,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"European Heart Journal","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf036","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"CARDIAC & CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background and aims: It remains unknown whether the brain glymphatic system, which is driven by the heartbeat-driven pulsation of arteries and is responsible for cerebral waste clearance, is impaired in atrial fibrillation (AF) and mediates cognitive dysfunction related to AF. The aim of this study was to assess brain glymphatic alterations in AF, their role in cognitive function, and whether catheter ablation can improve glymphatic activity.
Methods: In this case-control and prospective before-and-after study, patients with AF and healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. Participants underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging and a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Glymphatic activity was quantified by diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) index. Magnetic resonance imaging was repeated after surgery in patients who underwent ablation.
Results: Overall, 87 patients with AF and 44 HCs were enrolled. Compared with HCs, patients with AF had a lower ALPS index (P = .016). Nonparoxysmal AF patients showed lower ALPS index than both HCs (P = .002) and paroxysmal AF patients (P = .044). A lower ALPS index was associated with worse scores of Trail Making Test, Digit Symbol Substitution Test, Digit Span Test, and Stroop Colour and Word Test (all P < .05). Mediation analyses revealed that glymphatic activity was a mediator between AF and cognitive decline. Among the 50 patients who underwent ablation therapy, DTI-ALPS index was improved after surgery (P = .015).
Conclusions: Brain glymphatic function measured by DTI-ALPS index was impaired in patients with AF, mediates the association between AF and cognitive decline, and was improved after ablation therapy.
期刊介绍:
The European Heart Journal is a renowned international journal that focuses on cardiovascular medicine. It is published weekly and is the official journal of the European Society of Cardiology. This peer-reviewed journal is committed to publishing high-quality clinical and scientific material pertaining to all aspects of cardiovascular medicine. It covers a diverse range of topics including research findings, technical evaluations, and reviews. Moreover, the journal serves as a platform for the exchange of information and discussions on various aspects of cardiovascular medicine, including educational matters.
In addition to original papers on cardiovascular medicine and surgery, the European Heart Journal also presents reviews, clinical perspectives, ESC Guidelines, and editorial articles that highlight recent advancements in cardiology. Additionally, the journal actively encourages readers to share their thoughts and opinions through correspondence.