Serial magnetic resonance imaging after electrical cardioversion of recent onset atrial fibrillation in anticoagulant-naive patients - a prospective study exploring clinically silent cerebral lesions

New brain lesions could not be detected on MRI after CV, but the high incidence of white matter hyperintensities and the transient increase in S100b may indicate transient or minor brain damage undetectable by MRI thus heightening the need to reevaluate thromboembolic risk prior to CV even in low risk patients.