Neuroanatomical correlates of atrial fibrillation: a longitudinal MRI study

Abstract

VBackground and purpose—To determine baseline volume and rate of volume change of whole brain,
hippocampus, and entorhinal cortex in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Methods—We analyzed clinical and neuroimaging data collected as part of Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative in the United States and Canada. Patients with atrial fibrillation were identified based on
baseline clinical/cognitive assessments, and age and gender-matched controls without atrial fibrillations
were selected (1:1 ratio). All participants underwent 1.5 T structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at
specified intervals (6 or 12 months) for 2–3 years.
Results—A total of 33 persons with atrial fibrillation were included. There was no difference in whole
brain and ventricular volumes at baseline MRI between cases and controls. There was significantly lower
entorhinal cortex volume on right (p = 0.01) and left (p = 0.01) sides in patients with atrial fibrillation.
There was significantly lower volume for middle temporal lobes on right (p = 0.04) and left (p = 0.001)
sides. The rate of progression of atrophy in entorhinal cortex and middle temporal lobes was not different
between patients with atrial fibrillation and controls.
Conclusions—The association of atrial fibrillation with volume loss in entorhinal cortex and middle temporal lobes may provide new insights into pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation.