Show Notes - All Things Afib - Episode 15: Dementia and Atrial Fibrillation with Dr. Jared Bunch 

As doctors, we often don’t ask our patients (or their spouses) about “memory issues” or other signs of dementia, related to AFib.  We usually ask about stroke, clots, and other heart functions but neglect to ask about the brain.  

My guest today is Dr. T. Jared Bunch, Head of Section for Heart Rythm Services at the University of Utah.  Dr. Bunch specializes in the diagnosis and management of heart rhythm disorders. His current research involves defining mechanisms underlying the association between atrial fibrillation and dementia.  He looks at therapeutic opportunities to lower the risk of cognitive decline, the integration of wearable and implantable devices to improve early diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias, and improving mapping and catheter ablation of arrhythmias.

Dr. Bunch is a section editor for Current Cardiology Risk Reports, Heart Rhythm Journal, and a guest editor for American Heart Journal. He is on the editorial boards of the Heart Rhythm Journal, Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, Heart, American Heart Journal, JACC electrophysiology, and the Journal of Innovations in Cardiac Rhythm Management. In addition, he is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Utah and Editor-in-chief of the Heart Rhythm Society.

Join us for a discussion on the alarming connection between AFib and dementia, how to manage AFib and also assist in preventing brain decline, and the many exciting studies and trials, books and articles about the relationship between the two.

All Things Afib is hosted by me, Dr. Armin Kiankhooy. As a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon, my focus is on advanced treatments for heart and lung failure and minimally-invasive surgical treatments for atrial fibrillation such as the Hybrid Maze procedure. You can find me on staff at Adventist Health Heart and Vascular Institute in St. Helena California. 

Discussion points:

Dr. T Jared Bunch intro and background 

What is dementia? Why should we care about its relation to AFib?

An AFib/Dementia story– the salesman with AFib and “senior moments”

Many times doctors neglect to ask patients about dementia and memory issues – only ask about stroke, clots, etc.

Microbleeds, microclots, and hypoperfusion

Assessing risk through blood panels

The concussion/afib trial

The magnitude of risk for dementia is higher in younger patients – ages 60-70 vs. 70-90

The impact of wearables and the Heartline Trial

Benefits of anticoagulants

Appendage management, AFib, and dementia

CHADS VASC scores and AFib/dementia

What other tests/scores do you look at?

The AFib Cure book and Dr. John Day

Closing words: for anyone listening– Be your own advocate, ask questions, join the AFib online community, and find a doctor who will answer your questions/knows about AFib. There are treatments and ways to address Afib.

Resources:

Dr. T. Jared Bunch LinkedIn

Dr. Bunch Publications

Join the Heartline Trial/Apple Watch

The Afib Cure Book

StopAFib.org

Dr. Kiankhooy LinkedIn

All Things AFib Website

All Things AFib Twitter

All Things AFib YouTube Channel