BACKGROUND: An association between non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and cognitive impairment has been hypothesized.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate whether and how permanent NVAF (pNVAF) is associated with progression of cognitive impairment in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the presence of vascular or genetic risk factors.

METHODS: 310 consecutive patients affected by mild-moderate AD were included and followed for a 24-month period. At the end of the follow-up, based on the results of the neuropsychological evaluation patients were classified as stable or deteriorated to severe AD. Clinical history, therapy, time in therapeutic range for anticoagulation, Framingham cardiovascular risk profile (FCRP), CHA2DS2-VASc score, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), ApoE genotype, brain CT-scan, carotid ultrasound, and ECG were collected. Binary logistic and path analysis were adopted to assess relationships between pNVAF, ApoE, and cognitive outcome.

RESULTS: Despite anticoagulant therapy, pNVAF was associated with lower entry MMSE, higher mean intima-media thickness (mIMT) and higher FCRP. Among patients carrying ApoE ɛ4 allele and affected by pNVAF, the lowest MMSE (14.90±7.62) and the highest mIMT (1.16±0.17 mm) and FCRP (26.24±3.96) values were detected. In this group, the risk of cognitive deterioration reached the highest probability. pNVAF was associated with an increased cognitive deterioration in subjects with high FCRP, CHA2DS2-VASc, or mIMT.

CONCLUSIONS: pNVAF seems to identify AD patients with a significant atherosclerotic burden and reduced cognitive performances. The interaction between pNVAF and ApoE ɛ4 genotype, especially with aggregated risk factors and an advanced stage of vascular damage is associated with higher risk of fast cognitive deterioration.