Vorhofflimmern und kognitive Störung – Bedeutung für die Geriatrie

According to the current study situation an independent association between atrial fibrillation and cognitive impairment is likely. Several pathomechanisms seem to be causative: embolisms in particular appear to cause clinically inapparent cerebral infarction and thus a deterioration of cognitive status but hypoperfusion and possibly subsequent atrophy of the gray matter can also play a role. There are indications but not yet sufficient evidence for protective effects of anticoagulation, rhythm control and possibly frequency regulation.