Abstract 14134: The Impact of Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation on Dementia Incidence in Patients With and Without Depression

• Published in: Circulation (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2020-11, Vol.142 (Suppl_3 Suppl 3), p.A14134-A14134
• Main Authors: May, Heidi T, Bair, Tami L, Knight, Stacey, Anderson, Jeffrey L, Muhlestein, Joseph B, Knowlton, Kirk U, Horne, Benjamin D, Bunch, T Jared J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0009-7322; 1524-4539
• DOI: 10.1161/circ.142.suppl_3.14134

IntroductionStudies have previously shown that atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with dementia. The mechanisms are likely multifactorial, but may involve treatment strategies that include anticoagulation use and rhythm management, particularly when used early. Patients that have earlier-life depression are at risk of dementia. However, depression diagnosis in AF patients may indicate a patient at higher risk of developing dementia and whether treatments ameliorate that risk is unknown. MethodsA total of 132,703 AF patients without a history of dementia were studied. History of depression was determined at the time of AF diagnosis. Patients were deemed as having a follow-up ablation if it occurred prior to a dementia diagnosis. Patients were stratified into 4 groups based on depression history and follow-up ablation statusno depression, ablation (n=5,960); no depression, no ablation (n=106,986); depression, ablation (n=923); and depression, no ablation (n=18,834). Patients were followed for 5-year incidence of dementia. ResultsA total of 14.9% (n=19,757) pts had a history of depression at the time of AF diagnosis. The mean time between depression and AF diagnoses was 4.9±4.8 years. Patients with depression were younger (68±15 vs. 71±14 years), more likely to be female (62% vs. 44%), and had more cardiovascular comorbidities. Mean time to ablation was 1.3±1.4 days (median7.7 months) from AF diagnosis. Frequencies of 5-year dementia wereno depression, ablation=1.6%; no depression, no ablation=5.2%; depression, ablation=4.7%; and depression, no ablation=9.7%, p