Cerebral Safety After Pulsed-Field Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

An observational study evaluating the incidence of ischaemic lesions on brain MRI performed after ablation of atrial fibrillation using the Varipulse catheter.

• A baseline MRI scan will be carried out one day before the procedure.
• A post-procedure MRI scan will be performed 24-36 hours after the procedure.
• A follow-up MRI will be performed within 1 year after the ablation.

Paroxysmal and non-paroxysmal AF patients will be included. Regarding the extent of ablation lesions, pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) will be performed in paroxysmal AF, whereas PVI + left atrial posterior wall ablation will be performed in non-paroxysmal patients. All procedures will be performed under intracardiac echocardiography guidance.

The patients will undergo a neurocognitive evaluation:

• One day before the procedure: Montreal Cognitive Assessment (The MoCA Test)
• 24-36 hours after the procedure: The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
• Up to 1 year after the procedure the MoCA test.

Inclusion criteria

• AF with an indication for ablation

Exclusion criteria

• MRI contraindication