Catheter Ablation Linked to Reduced Risk of Dementia in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

A study published in the European Heart Journal found that people with atrial fibrillation are in less danger of dementia if they undergo catheter ablation to restore the normal rhythm of their heart, reports EurekAlert . Earlier research determined that atrial fibrillation was linked to a higher dementia risk, even in people who had not had a stroke. Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation also is known for allowing the heart to return to its normal rhythm for a longer period after the procedure compared to anti-arrhythmic drugs. The latest study indicated that catheter ablation reduced the incidence of dementia by 27 percent in atrial fibrillation patients versus those who tried to control their condition only with medication. "The proportion of people who developed dementia during the follow-up period was 6.1 percent in the ablation group and 9.1 percent in the medical therapy group," said Professor Boyoung Joung at Yonsei University College of Medicine. "This suggests that three people per 100 of the atrial fibrillation population avoid dementia if they undergo catheter ablation, and 34 patients would need to be treated to prevent one case of dementia during the follow-up period." Ablation also correlated with a 23 percent lower incidence of Alzheimer's disease compared to medication, and a 50 percent decrease in vascular dementia.