Cerebral signatures of cardiovascular disease: distinct brain lesion patterns in atrial fibrillation and atherosclerosis

Atrial brillation AtherosclerosisNon-lacunar infarcts Lacunar infarcts Periventricular white matter hyperintensities Cerebral microbleeds Disease-speci c strategies Distinct brain lesion patterns in atrial brillation and atherosclerosisAtrial fibrillation (AF) and atherosclerosis are associated with distinct brain lesion patterns detectable on neuroimaging.In patients with AF, the predominant findings are non-lacunar infarcts and periventricular white matter hyperintensities, which suggest embolic mechanisms and potential chronic hypoperfusion in vulnerable regions.In contrast, patients with atherosclerosis more frequently exhibit lacunar infarcts and cerebral microbleeds, consistent with small vessel pathology and hypertensive arteriopathy.This visual synthesis emphasizes the importance of developing disease-specific preventive and therapeutic strategies, moving beyond generic cardiovascular risk control toward personalized cerebrovascular care.