Impact of atrial fibrillation burden on cognitive function after left atrial ablation – Results of the MACPAF study

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with cognitive decline and dementia irrespective of AF-related ischemic stroke. We investigated whether AF burden after ablation in patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF has an impact on cognitive function. After enrolment to the prospective MACPAF study, study patients received an insertable loop recorder (ILR) and underwent serial neurological/cognitive assessment. To compare cognitive function, the delta of baseline and six months test results (Δpre/post) and a score to assess overall cognitive performance were computed. Thirty patients (median age 65 years (IQR 57-69), 40% female) were divided into groups according to median AF burden (