title: CHA2DS2-Vasc score, age and body mass index as the main risk factors of hyperintense brain lesions in asymptomatic patients with paroxysmal non-valvular atrial fibrillation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim was to assess the occurrence, severity and risk factors for silent white matter hyperintensities (WMH) in brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and to determine the potential relationship between WHM and cognitive decline.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-four patients with paroxysmal non-valvular AF were enrolled (age 59 (IQR 50-63)years, males 45/61%). All patients were on adequate warfarin treatment before inclusion and had no history of stroke or TIA. The presence and severity of brain WMH were classified according to the Fazekas scale, while general neurocognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).
  
  
  RESULTS
  WMH were found in 51 patients (67.6%; age: 59±7.9years; males: 29/58%). CHADS2-VASc score (OR for 1 point 2.18; 95% CI=1.3-3.65; p=0.003), age (OR for 1year 1.11; 95% CI=1.04-1.18; p=0.001) and BMI (OR for 1kg/m(2) 1.23; 95% CI=1.04-1.45; p=0.017) were independent factors of any brain lesions. A positive correlation between Fazekas scale score and CHA2DS2-VASc score was shown in the entire group (Gamma 0.48; p<0.001). In the group with brain lesions, AF time (p=0.02) and LVEDD (p=0.03) significantly determined the Fazekas scale score (lesions severity). There were no differences in the MMSE score between patients with and without WMH (median: 28 (IQR 27-29) vs 29 (IQR 27.5-30); p=0.2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both the presence and severity of brain WMH are related to the CHADS2-VASc score and are not connected with cognitive impairment in this population. Age, BMI, AF time and the indices of heart remodeling constitute important factors influencing brain lesions.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland. Electronic address: wie.joanna@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wieczorek
authors.affiliation: First Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mizia-Stec
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Professor Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Centre, Medical University of Silesia, Hospital No. 7, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Anetta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lasek-Bal
authors.affiliation: First Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wieczorek
authors.affiliation: First Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.affiliation: First Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Seweryn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nowak
authors.affiliation: First Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Jarosław
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kolasa
authors.affiliation: First Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Faryan
authors.affiliation: First Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Iwona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Woźniak-Skowerska
authors.affiliation: First Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wnuk-Wojnar
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D066127:White Matter / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology
keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Cognitive decline; MMSE; Magnetic resonance imaging; White matter hyperintensities