Detecting and Evaluating Cognitive Impairment in Heart Failure Patients

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Patterns of CI Progression in HF

In the absence of dementia and other comorbidities:

  • CI caused by structural or neurodegenerative changes can’t be reversed
  • CI caused by functional neuronal dysfunction associated with HF may improve in response to HF treatment (e.g. medications, pacemaker, transplant, life style modifications).
  • CI associated with HF and caused by neuronal dysfunction will display the following patterns:
    • Linear decline in language
    • Curvilinear decline in attention, executive function, and psychomotor skills
    • Visuospatial skills and memory may recover over time if HF is well-controlled
      (Dardiotis et al, 2012; Leto,L., Feola., 2014)
  • The use of antihypertensives and a regular exercise program may ameliorate the effect of HF on dementia risks (Qiu et al. 2006; Tanne et al. 2005)