Open AccessCardiac Resynchronization Therapy: A Pilot Study Examining Cognitive Change in Patients Before and After Treatment
Author(s) -
Dixit Neha K.,
Vazquez Lauren D.,
Cross Natalie J.,
Kuhl Emily A.,
Serber Eva R.,
Kovacs Adrienne,
Dede Duane E.,
Conti Jamie B.,
Sears Samuel F.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.20710
Subject(s) - medicine , neurocognitive , cardiac resynchronization therapy , psychosocial , heart failure , quality of life (healthcare) , cardiology , memory span , physical therapy , cognition , ejection fraction , psychiatry , working memory , nursing
Background Cardiovascular patients with reduced cardiovascular output and capacity such as those with congestive heart failure (CHF) have demonstrated cognitive‐related dysfunction. The use of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is considered standard care for CHF patients who do not improve despite optimal medical therapy. Cardiac resynchronization therapy may improve neurocognitive and psychosocial functioning in patients by increasing cardiac output and cerebral perfusion. Methods A total of 20 patients were examined before and 3 months after CRT device implantation, via administration of standard neurocognitive and psychosocial testing measures. Results Significant improvements in neurocognitive measures of attention (Digit Span: t[20] = − 2.695 [55.94±9.27–62.31±10.05], P = 0.015) and information processing (Digit Symbol: t[20] = − 4.577, P < 0.001; Controlled Oral Word Association Test: t[20] = − 3.338, P = 0.004) were demonstrated. Improvements in cardiac‐specific quality of life were also significant (Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire: t[16] = 3.544, P = 0.005 [55.17±18.23–36.75±18.00]; The Left Ventricular Dysfunction Questionnaire: t[16] = 3.544, P = 0.003 [63.43±23.35–43.29±21.62]). Conclusion These results represent clinically significant, qualitative, and quantitative cognitive functional benefits for patients from a neurocognitive and psychosocial perspective. Results suggest that biventricular pacing improves cardiovascular outcome and psychosocial functioning in patients with CHF. The future investigation of a larger sample would be beneficial in establishing the depth and breadth of this improvement. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.