Heart failure was associated with specific cognitive deficits, including impaired memory and executive functioning, but these deficits did not significantly correlate with heart failure severity.
Cross-Sectional (n=38)
Yes
What is the neurocognitive profile of heart failure patients and is it associated with heart failure severity?
Heart failure patients demonstrate specific cognitive deficits in memory and executive function that do not correlate with disease severity, suggesting a need for routine cognitive screening to optimize self-care and adherence.
BACKGROUND: Research on the cognitive capacity of heart failure patients is limited, with a paucity of benchmark information available for this population. It is highly likely that cognitive deficits affect patients' understanding of disease and treatment requirements, as well as limiting their functional capacity and ability to implement treatment plans, and undertake self-care. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to establish a comprehensive neurocognitive profile of the heart failure patient through systematic neurocognitive assessment and to determine whether an association existed between severity of heart failure and cognitive abilities. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients were recruited from the heart failure patient databases of two metropolitan hospitals in Melbourne, Australia. Participants were individually assessed using four standardised, internationally recognised neuropsychological tests that examined current and premorbid intelligence, memory and executive functioning. RESULTS: Although there was no significant decline from premorbid general intellectual function, other specific areas of deficit, including impaired memory and executive functioning, were identified. There were no significant correlations between heart failure severity and the neurocognitive measures used. CONCLUSION: The results support the need to recognise cognitive impairment in people with heart failure and to develop an abbreviated method of assessing cognitive function that can be easily implemented in the clinical setting. Identifying cognitive deficits in this population will be useful in guiding the content and nature of treatment plans to maximise adherence and minimise worsening of heart failure symptoms.
Wolfe et al. (Mon,) conducted a cross-sectional in Heart failure (n=38). Heart failure was evaluated on Neurocognitive profile (intelligence, memory, and executive functioning) and its association with heart failure severity. Heart failure was associated with specific cognitive deficits, including impaired memory and executive functioning, but these deficits did not significantly correlate with heart failure severity.
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