Linking the heart–eye–brain axis: Ocular and cerebral blood flow changes after catheter ablation in atrial fibrillation

Heart Rhythm 2026 Open access

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Authors: Nobuhiko Yamamoto, Hideaki Suzuki, Makoto Nakano, Shinichi Yamanaka, Tomohiro Ito, Hiroyuki Sato, Takahiko Chiba, Kotaro Nochioka, Kentaro Takanami, Masayuki Yasuda, Hiroshi Kunikata, Toru Nakazawa
+1 more Satoshi Yasuda
DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2026.02.003
Cited by: 0
References: 4

Abstract

Cerebral hypoperfusion during atrial fibrillation (AF) has emerged as a key contributor to impaired brain health and can be improved by restoration of sinus rhythm (SR).1 However, use of conventional tools for examining cerebral blood flow (CBF), such as single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), is limited in routine practice. Ocular blood flow (OBF), which can be non-invasively evaluated using laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG), is increased by SR restoration in patients with persistent AF (PeAF)2 and has been proposed as a potential surrogate for CBF.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Atrial Fibrillation Management and Outcomes Acute Ischemic Stroke Management Cardiac Arrhythmias and Treatments

Publication details

Journal / source
Heart Rhythm
Volume
23
Issue
7
Pages
e1257–e1259
Publication date
9 February 2026
Language
EN