Study population
atrial appendage occlusion, septal occlusion, acute coronary syndrome, ischemic stroke
VALVULAR HEART DISEASE, ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME, ISCHEMIC STROKE
Eligible patients are those who (1) have electrocardiographically documented, symptomatic AF, (2) are scheduled to undergo their first catheter ablation procedure for AF, (3) are between the ages of 18 and 80 years, and (4) are willing and able to provide informed consent. Patients are excluded if they (1) have moderate to severe valvular heart disease, (2) are contraindicated for anticoagulation therapy, (3) are contraindicated for hDWI, (4) have had an ischemic stroke within 6 months prior to the consent date, (5) have had an acute coronary syndrome within 3 months prior to the consent date, (6) have ever had a left atrial appendage occlusion device or septal occlusion device, (7) have a significantly enlarged left atrium (left atrial diameter ≥ 55 mm), (8) have conditions that prevent their participation in the cognitive assessment, (9) be a female who is pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant during the study, (10) be concurrently enrolled in another study, and (11) be unwilling or unable to comply fully with the study protocol.