Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation May Protect the Aging Brain

[MarkS]

Interesting article posted this morning. It indicates that there are fewer cases of cognitive impairment in Afibers who have had an ablation compared with those on medicine only:

medscape.com/viewarticle/99...

I am not totally convinced by the outcomes, and I wonder if those who have arranged an ablation are just more "with it" than those remaining on meds only. But there is an interesting bit at the end:

Shaheen Lakhan: "If you ever get up too quickly and feel woozy, that is your brain not getting enough blood flow and you are getting all the warning signs to correct that — or else! Similarly, with atrial fibrillation, the heart is contracting, but not effectively pumping blood to the brain," he told Medscape Medical News.

"This line of research shows that correcting the abnormal heart rhythm by zapping the faulty circuit with a catheter is actually better for your brain health than just taking medications alone," added Lakhan, who was not involved with the study.

[BobD Volunteer]

Thanks for the synopsis Mark.

Trouble is that there used to be concerns about ablation causing vascular dementia due to micro embolii formed during the process until anticoagulation was maintained throughout . I think my first two were without anticoag but by 2007 they had started maintaining rather than stopping five days before (warfarin).

It all shows what new science the treatment of AF really is and how we are still learning. Its only about thirty years since people were told it was normal aging and get on with life.

[Rainfern in reply to BobD]

People still are being told by GPs its normal aging and to just get on with it! Especially if it's mild AF in the first instance as mine was. Thanks to A F Association and this forum I'm getting first class help now.

[Coeurdelion in reply to BobD]

I have just been told my ablation is scheduled for 5th May (Barts). Could someone tell me where to find the fact sheets on what to expect please

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Coeurdelion]

healthunlocked.com/redirect...

healthunlocked.com/redirect...

There you go.

[Coeurdelion in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob.

[JayDJ]

I think that it says it all with the word "May" which is another way of saying that they are not really sure.

[Autumn_Leaves]

”added Lakhan, who was not involved with the study”

This is the problem with these articles. They’re essentially medical puff pieces written for the purpose of have content. It’s speculative and JayDJ says, the use of “may” just confirms this. Quoting someone’s opinion who wasn’t involved with the study is enough to counsel caution that we shouldn’t see this article as any kind of concrete proof of anything.

[baba]

And what about the effects on the brain of the anaesthetic - if used?

[MarkS in reply to baba]

Good point, which is why I had sedation for my ablation

[ralphfuh]

What if the ablation is not successful ?