MEDIZIN — Swiss Cardiology
Atrial Fibrillation and Dementia
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. As the global population ages, the prevalence of both AF and dementia is expected to rise substantially. Beyond stroke, growing evidence suggests that AF contributes to cognitive decline through multiple mechanisms, including different cerebral lesions, hypoperfusion, inflammation, hypercoagulable state, and brain atrophy. This review summarizes current evidence on AF-related cognitive impairment, explores underlying pathomechanisms, and identifies potential treatment strategies to prevent or delay dementia in patients with AF.