Marker associations of chronic heart failure severity and cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients

Introduction. Next to neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular diseases are now the most common cause of cognitive impairment. The combination of factors such as older age and chronic heart failure is a corner-stone of a greater risk for developing vascular cognitive impairment. Aim. To study the relationship between the parameters of the left ventricular ejection fraction and the concentration of NT-proBNP with the results of neuropsychological testing in patients with chronic heart failure in old age. Materials and methods. The study included 200 elderly patients with CHF II–III FC. The neuropsychological examination included tests: tracking, Schulte tables, verbal associations, the Montreal Cognitive Function Assessment Scale (МоСА test). Laboratory tests included determination of the concentration of NT-proBNP in serum. Results. During neuropsychological testing, reduced indicators were obtained: during the MOS test in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) values < 40% and ≥ 40% and < 50% and with a concentration of NT-proBNP 7230 [3325; 8830] pg/ml; in the Schulte test, an increase in execution time was noted in patients with LVEF values < 40% and ≥ 40% and < 50% and with a concentration of NT-proBNP 2900 [700; 7500] pg/ml; in the tracking test – an increase in time in part A in patients with LVEF values < 40% and ≥ 40% and < 50% and with a concentration of NT-proBNP 5385 [2125; 8675] pg/ml and part B in patients with LVEF values < 40% and ≥ 40% and < 50% and with a concentration of NT-proBNP 6947 [3325; 9310] pg/ml, in the verbal association test – in patients with LVEF values < 40% and ≥ 40% and < 50% and with a concentration of NT-proBNP 2090 [608; 7126] pg/ml. Correlation analysis showed the presence of a significant relationship between LVEF indicators, the concentration of NT-proBNP and the results of neuropsychological testing (p < 0.001), while, according to the Rea&Parker classification, the connection was assessed as relatively strong and medium strength. Conclusion. The cognitive impairments identified in this study in elderly patients with chronic heart failure were characterized by a decrease in concentration, memory, executive functions and the overall integrative index of cognitive functions. These disorders were significantly associated with a decrease in the left ventricular ejection fraction and a high concentration of NT-proBNP.