Silent Cerebrovascular Lesion and Cognitive Decline Prevention by Cholesterol Lowering in Elderly AF Patients

Radboud University Medical Center35 enrolled

Overview

In elderly patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) the presence of silent brain infarcts and neurocognitive deficit is high despite adequate treatment with oral anticoagulation. Atherosclerosis is considered to be a chronic inflammatory disease and thrombosis and inflammation are strongly correlated. Atrial fibrillation is linked with increased levels of inflammatory markers and intensive cholesterol lowering has proven to reduce inflammation. In a prospective double-blind randomized pilot-study we want to test the hypothesis, that addition of intensive cholesterol lowering treatment besides adequate oral anticoagulation will reduce cerebrovascular lesions and will be beneficial for neurocognitive status in elderly AF patients.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Atrial Fibrillation Neuropsychology Magnetic Resonance Imaging Inflammation

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 68 YearsMax age: 82 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Elderly patients (\>68 and \<82 years) with atrial fibrillation and adequate oral anticoagulation therapy and cholesterol levels between 4,5 mmol/l and 7 mmol/l Exclusion Criteria: * Indication for cholesterol lowering treatment according to Dutch CBO-cholesterol guidelines (2004)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Neurocognitive function

Cerebrovascular lesions on MRI

Secondary Outcomes

Level of inflammatory markers

Level of hemostatic markers