Table 11.

Recommendations for measures to prevent cognitive dysfunction in AF patients

Preventive measures of cognitive dysfunction in patients with AF	Class	Ref.
Appropriate anticoagulation in patients with AF and stroke risk factors should be applied for the prevention of cognitive dysfunction.		107,111
Consider NOAC instead of VKA when using oral anticoagulation for the prevention of stroke in AF, which may have a beneficial effect on subsequent cognitive disorders		107,114
In patients with AF managed with long-term VKA, a high anticoagulation time in therapeutic range may be beneficial for optimal prevention of new-onset dementia		75,107
General health measures (prevention of smoking, hypertension, obesity and diabetes, sleep apnoea, and appropriate control of all risk factors) may reduce the concomitant risks of AF (new onset or recurrences) and stroke, with a putative benefit on cognitive function.		107,115
Prevention of cognitive dysfunction in AF may include general measures proposed in vascular dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.		116
Cognitive assessment should be performed in AF patients where there is suspicion of cognitive impairment.		204

AF, atrial fibrillation; NOAC, non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant; VKA, vitamin K antagonist.