Cerebral Protection in Transcatheter Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion

The study aims to assess the effect of the use of neuroprotection in transcutaneous occlusion of the left atrial appendage in patients with atrial fibrillation on the risk of perioperative silent brain ischemia and associated cognitive impairment and depression.

Introduction: Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAC) procedure is a method of preventing stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation who cannot use anticoagulants. The number of patients undergoing LAAC treatment tends to increase. LAAC procedures effectively reduce the number of strokes, with a significant reduction in the risk of bleeding compared to oral anticoagulants. However, although LAAC treatments alone have a low risk of perioperative stroke, some patients may experience incidents of silent brain ischemia (SBI). The distant effect of SBI may be cognitive deterioration, the onset of dementia syndromes, as well as depression.

Purpose of the study: The study aims to assess the effect of the use of neuroprotection in transcutaneous occlusion of the left atrial appendage (LAAC) in patients with atrial fibrillation on the risk of perioperative SBI and associated cognitive impairment and depression.

Methodology: The planned study is a prospective, multicentre, randomized, and double-blind intervention trial. Neuroprotection introduced from arterial access will be used in the LAAC treatment study group. In the control group, LAAC treatments will be performed without neuroprotection. Two hundred forty patients are planned to be enrolled with indications for stroke prevention due to atrial fibrillation. The analysis will include data obtained from DW MRI images, neurological evaluation results along with NIHSS-scale scores, results of cognitive evaluation tests (MoCA, COWAT, TMT A\&B), and test of mood disorders (HADS Scale), as well as results of the EQ-5D-5L quality of life assessment questionnaire. It is planned to observe patients participating in the study for 24 months after LAAC procedure.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. 18 Years and older
2. Subject able to provide signed informed consent.
3. Documented permanent, persistent, or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
4. CHA2DS2VASc risk of stroke ≥2
5. At least one of the following criteria:

   1. Contraindications to the use of anticoagulants,
   2. HSBLED bleeding risk ≥3

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Serious mental diseases, particularly: dementia syndrome of any etiology, schizophrenia,schizoaffective disorders, bipolar disorder
2. History of ischemic stroke
3. Chronic abuse of alcohol or any other psychoactive substances except for nicotine
4. long-term therapy with benzodiazepines
5. The use of antidepressants in 3 months prior inclusion.
6. Previous infections of the central nervous system, including neuroborreliosis
7. Parkinson's disease
8. Huntington's chorea
9. Creutzfeld-Jakob disease
10. Pick's disease
11. Significant atherosclerosis of the cephalic arteries (\> 70% LCCA or the brachiocephalic trunk)
12. Strictures, ectasias, dissection or aneurysms at the exit of the LCCA or the brachiocephalic trunk from the aorta and up to 3 cm above
13. Advancement of vascular changes in DW MRI of the head, grade 3 on the Fazekas scale
14. Presence of a thrombus or tumours of a different nature in the left atrium or its ear
15. Presence of a thrombus in the left ventricle
16. Left atrial appendage anatomy preventing the use of occluders to close the left atrium appendage
17. The presence of mechanical heart valve prostheses
18. The state after the operative closure of the defect in the atrial septum
19. Condition after closing the defect in the interatrial septum with the use of occluders
20. Active infective endocarditis
21. Presence of devices and prostheses that prevent the performance of MRI (pacemakers, clips in the CNS)
22. Status after oesophagal surgery
23. Esophageal diverticula
24. Esophageal varices\> grade 3
25. Allergic to contrast agents
26. A contraindication to use antiplatelet drugs
27. Diagnosis of neoplastic disease with estimated survival beyond 1 year
28. Clininally evident hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism
29. Klaustrofobia
30. Pregnancy
31. AIDS
32. Participation in other drug research studies
33. The presence of circumstances or any medical condition the Investigator considers problematic for subject inclusion, or test results that may couse problems to provide reliable, acurate to interpretation results