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Altered diastolic function and aortic stiffness in Alzheimer's disease
Ali Nazmi Çalık1, Kazım Serhan Özcan2, Gülbün Yüksel3
1Department of Cardiology, Yozgat State Hospital, Yozgat, Turkey.
Clinical Interventions in Aging
|July 31, 2014
Summary
Alzheimer's disease patients exhibit impaired diastolic function and increased arterial stiffness. These cardiovascular changes suggest a significant link between Alzheimer's and heart health.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is increasingly recognized for its association with cardiovascular risk factors.
- Understanding these links is crucial for comprehensive patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cardiac function and arterial stiffness in Alzheimer's disease patients.
- To compare these parameters with age-matched controls.
Main Methods:
- Echocardiographic assessments of left ventricular diastolic function and atrial conduction times.
- Measurement of arterial stiffness parameters including stiffness index, pressure-strain elastic modulus, and distensibility.
- Comparison between 29 AD patients and 24 cognitively normal individuals.
Main Results:
- AD patients showed lower peak early filling velocity (E) and early myocardial peak (Ea) velocity.
- Higher atrial conduction times (A, Aa) and prolonged isovolumetric relaxation time were observed in AD.
- Significantly increased arterial stiffness (stiffness index, pressure-strain elastic modulus) and decreased distensibility were found in the AD group.
Conclusions:
- Alzheimer's disease patients exhibit diastolic dysfunction and prolonged atrial conduction times.
- Increased arterial stiffness is a notable characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.
- These findings highlight the interconnectedness of cardiovascular health and cognitive decline in AD.
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