. 2018 Mar 18;20(9):1399–1421. doi: 10.1093/europace/euy046

Table 8.

Studies that are currently examining the effect of different therapies and interventions on cognitive function in patients with AF or atrial tachyarrhythmias

Study name	Target population	Intervention	Cognitive function as outcome
Impact of Anticoagulation Therapy on the Cognitive Decline and Dementia in Patients With Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation (CAF), NCT03061006	Non-valvular AF	Randomization to dabigatran or warfarin	Primary outcome: incident dementia and moderate decline in cognitive function
Comparison of Brain Perfusion in Rhythm Control and Rate Control of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation, NCT02633774	Persistent AF	Randomization to rhythm or rate control	Primary outcome: cognitive assessment
Cognitive Impairment Related to Atrial Fibrillation Prevention Trial (GIRAF), NCT01994265	AF patients >65 years old and CHA₂DS₂-VASc >1	Randomization to dabigatran or warfarin	Primary outcome: cognitive impairment
Early Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation for Stroke Prevention Trial (EAST), NCT01288352	AF patients	Randomization to early standardized rhythm control or usual care	Secondary outcome: cognitive function
Apixaban During Atrial Fibrillation Catheter Ablation: Comparison to Vitamin K Antagonist Therapy (AXAFA), NCT02227550	Patients undergoing catheter ablation of non-valvular AF	Randomization to vitamin K antagonists or apixaban	Secondary outcome: cognitive function change
NOACs for Stroke Prevention in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Previous ICH (NASPAF-ICH), NCT02998905	Patients with a high-risk of AF and previous intracerebral haemorrhage	Randomization to non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant or acetylsalicylic acid	Secondary outcome: cognitive function
Non-vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants in Patients With Atrial High Rate Episodes (NOAH), NCT02618577	patients with atrial high rate episodes and at least two stroke risk factors but without AF	Randomization to edoxaban or acetylsalicylic acid or placebo	Secondary outcome: cognitive function
Optimal Anticoagulation for Higher Risk Patients Post-Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation Trial (OCEAN), NCT02168829	Patients having undergone a successful AF catheter ablation	Randomization to rivaroxaban or acetylsalicylic acid	Secondary outcome: neuropsychological testing
Blinded Randomized Trial of Anticoagulation to Prevent Ischaemic Stroke and Neurocognitive Impairment in AF (BRAIN-AF), NCT02387229	Patients with non-valvular AF and with low risk of stroke	Randomization to rivaroxaban or acetylsalicylic acid	Primary outcome: composite endpoint of stroke, TIA and neurocognitive decline
	Patients with non-valvular AF and with low risk of stroke	Randomization to rivaroxaban or acetylsalicylic acid	Secondary outcomes: neurocognitive decline, new onset of cognitive impairment

AF, atrial fibrillation; NOACs, non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant; TIA, transient ischaemic attack.