Myocardial Inflammation as Key Mediator of Heart-brain Interaction After Myocardial Ischemia/Infarction: Mechanistic Exploration of Post-Myocardial Infarction Cognitive Dysfunction

Abstract: Myocardial Infarction (MI) is a severe cardiovascular event, causing not only substantial damage to the heart but also potentially exerting a profound impact on brain function through a complex cardiac-brain interaction mechanism. The pathological process of MI encompasses myocardial cell necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, and the release of a substantial amount of inflammatory mediators. Through the bloodstream, these myocardial mediators may traverse the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB), eliciting a neuroinflammatory response that can lead to cognitive dysfunction. This article proposes a critical research direction: investigating whether MI mediates the effects of myocardial- derived mediators on the permeability of the BBB, as well as the potential consequences of these mediators on cognitive functions. This review is aimed at triggering future research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms governing heart-brain interactions after MI in order to facilitate the development of more effective cognitive protection strategies for patients with MI.