Cognitive impairment in patients with atrial fibrillation and arterial hypertension

Abstract

Aim. To study the influence of atrial fibrillation on the severity of cognitive impairment in patients with arterial hypertension.

Methods. The study included 25 patients with atrial fibrillation and arterial hypertension, the control group of 25 patients with arterial hypertension, but without cardiac arrhythmias. All patients underwent general clinical and instrumental examination of the cardiovascular system. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment test was used to assess memory and attention, the degree of mastering visual-constructive skills, abstract thinking and speech.

Results. Cognitive functions in patients with atrial fibrillation were significantly worse than in patients in the control group (testing to assess indicators: 22.7 ± 3.2 and 25.6 ± 2.2 points, respectively, p < 0.001). Cognitive indicators such as memory, speech and abstract thinking are most severely affected in patients with arrhythmia.

Conclusion. Atrial fibrillation creates conditions for the development of cognitive deficits. Cerebral hypoperfusion, the occurrence of "silent" cerebral infarctions and hypercoagulation are important pathogenetic factors of cognitive impairment in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Received 29 July 2021. Revised 11 September 2021. Accepted 20 September 2021.

Funding: The research was carried out within the state assignment of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (No. 121031300045-2).

Conflict of interest: Authors declare no conflict of interest.

Contribution of the authors: The authors contributed equally to this article.