Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 17, 2026

Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity Cf-PWV to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness
Published on: May 3, 2018
STIFFNESS OF ARTERIES AND LEFT ATRIUM AS PREDICTORS FOR COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT IN CARDIOLOGY PATIENTS
Olga Germanova1, Yulia Reshetnikova1, Ksenia Ermolayeva1
1International Centre for Education and Research in Cardiovascular Pathology and Cardiovisualization, Samara State Medical University, Samara, Russia.
Patients with frequent extrasystoles and atrial fibrillation experience cognitive decline, particularly those with atrial fibrillation. Arterial stiffness and left atrial changes predict this impairment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Heart arrhythmias, including frequent extrasystoles (ES) and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), are prevalent conditions.
- Cognitive function can be affected by cardiovascular health, but the specific relationship with advanced cardiac imaging parameters in arrhythmias requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between cognitive function and volumetric sphygmography and speckle tracking echocardiography data in patients with heart arrhythmias.
- To compare cognitive function and cardiac parameters in patients with frequent ES, paroxysmal AF, and a control group.
Main Methods:
- A monocentric cohort study involving 33 patients divided into three groups: frequent ES (n=12), paroxysmal AF (n=14), and controls (n=7).
- Data collection included lipidograms, 24-hour ECG monitoring, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), volumetric sphygmography, and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test for cognitive evaluation.
Main Results:
- Patients with frequent ES and paroxysmal AF showed decreased cognitive function (MoCA scores), most notably in the paroxysmal AF group.
- Significant differences were observed in left atrial (LA) volume and MoCA scores between the arrhythmia groups and the control group.
- Reduced global longitudinal strain (GLS) in the left ventricle was noted in the paroxysmal AF group compared to the frequent ES group, indicating impaired systolic function.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive impairment develops in patients with frequent ES and paroxysmal AF, with paroxysmal AF presenting a more significant impact.
- Increased arterial stiffness parameters (R-CAVI, L-CAVI) and structural LA changes (increased LA volume, decreased LA strain) are identified as significant predictors of cognitive impairment.
- Paroxysmal AF patients exhibited the most pronounced differences across key cardiovascular and cognitive parameters compared to the control group.
Related Concept Videos
Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests
Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
Imbalances in Cardiac Output
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send...
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology

