Journal of the American College of Cardiology
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Aug 2013
Subtle post-procedural cognitive dysfunction after atrial fibrillation ablation.
This study sought to determine whether post-operative neurocognitive dysfunction (POCD) occurs after ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). ⋯ Ablation for AF is associated with a 13% to 20% prevalence of POCD in patients with AF at long-term follow-up. These results were seen in a patient population with predominant CHADS2 (Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age ≥75 years, Diabetes mellitus, previous Stroke/transient ischemic attack) scores of 0 to 1, representing the majority of patients undergoing ablation for AF. The long-term implications of these subtle changes require further study.