The Effects Of Anticoagulation And Radio Frequency Ablation On Cognitive Function In Patients With Non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation

Objective:To investigate the effects of anticoagulants and radiofrequency ablation on cognitive function in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation(NAF).Methods:Patients of Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation without stroke history were recruited in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University between November 2016 and August 2017.The patients were divided into warfarin group,dabigatran group and radiofrequency ablation group according to the anticoagulant(warfarin or Dabigatran)and whether they were treated with radiofrequency ablation.The control group was not treated with anticoagulant and radiofrequency ablation.The following data were collected: age,gender,years of education,smoking history,alcohol use,previous history,radiofrequency ablation and CHA2DS2-VASc score.Cognitive function was scored by MoCA scale,MoCA score was performed again after 6 months follow-up,and the follow-up was terminated in case of stroke or death.SPSS22.0 statistical software was used to analyze the data of each group,and A probability value <0.05(2-tailed)was considered significant.Results:(1)There was no significant difference between the baseline cognitive score and the cognitive score after 6 months in warfarin group and control group(P>0.05).The degree of MoCA score decline in the warfarin group was(0.74±0.88)lower than that in the control group(1.62±0.87)after 6 months(P <0.05).(2)There was no significant difference between the baseline cognitive score and the cognitive score after 6 months in Dabigatran group(P>0.05).The degree of MoCA score decline in the Dabigatran group was(0.62±0.68)lower than that in the control group(1.62±0.87)after 6 months(P <0.05).There was no significant difference in MoCA score between patients who received dabigatran for 6 months and those in the warfarin group.(3)There was no significant difference between the baseline cognitive score and the cognitive score after 6 months during the radiofrequency ablation group(P>0.05).The degree of MoCA score decline in the radiofrequency ablation group was(0.50±0.56)lower than that in the control group(1.62±0.87)after 6 months(P<0.05).There was no significant difference compared to warfarin or dabigaca groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:(1)Anticoagulant therapy has protective effect on cognitive impairment in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation without stroke.(2)The protective effect of NOAC and Radiofrequency ablation on cognitive impairment in non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients without stroke was similar to that of warfarin.