Evaluation of Cognitive Functions in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary
Gozde Baran1, Suleyman Sezai Yildiz2, Ozge Gonul Oner3
1Department of Neurology, Sancaktepe Sehit Prof. Dr. Ilhan Varank Research and Training Hospital, 34785 Istanbul, Turkey.
Insights
Young patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) experience temporary cognitive impairments. However, acute coronary syndrome does not lead to lasting structural brain changes, as shown by MRI scans.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Cognitive function in young patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains understudied.
- Assessing potential cerebral changes is crucial for understanding the long-term impact of ACS in this demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cognitive function and detect cerebral changes in young patients with ACS undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
- To determine if ACS is associated with cognitive impairment and structural brain alterations.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 50 young ACS patients treated with primary PCI.
- Brain MRI to assess white and gray matter changes.
- Cognitive function evaluation using seven standardized tests, comparing baseline to one-month follow-up.
Main Results:
- Transient cognitive impairments were observed in 25 patients on day one, with 18 still showing impairment after one month.
- No structural brain differences were found between patients with and without cognitive impairment.
- Significant differences in Stroop test performance and other cognitive tests were noted between day one and one month post-PCI in the Fazekas+ group.
Conclusions:
- Young patients with ACS exhibit transient cognitive function impairment.
- Acute coronary syndrome is not linked to permanent structural brain changes.
Purpose:
It is not clear whether cognitive functions are impaired in young patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This study aims to detect whether or not there is cognitive impairment and cerebral changes in young patients with ACS undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
Patients And Methods:
All 50 patients with ACS who were treated with primary PCI were eligible for this prospective study. All participants had normal cognitive function before ACS. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to quantify changes in brain white and gray matter. Cognitive functions (CFs) were evaluated by seven cognitive tests. Patients were categorized by MRI findings and test scores were compared from the first day to after the first month.
Results:
We determined 25 patients with impaired CFs on the first day. After the first month, we identified 18 patients with transient impaired CFs. No structural difference was observed between impaired CF and normal CF. While 25 patients had a score of 1 according to Fazekas, 10 patients had a score of 1 according to MTLA. While the mean Stroop test completion time and Stroop test error rate scores were significantly higher on the first day than after the first month in the Fazekas+ group (p = 0.003, p < 0.001, respectively), other cognitive test scores-except clock drawing test, digital span forwards, and backwards-were significantly lower on the first day compared to after the first month in the Fazekas+ group (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Patients with ACS have transient impairment in cognitive functions. Acute coronary syndrome is not associated with structural changes in the brain.
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