[Cardiac function in elderly patients with dementia].
Evaluation of cardiac function is very important in elderly patients because it is closely related to the prognosis. Appropriate evaluation is especially important to treat and prevent the progression of dementia since its pathology differs greatly depending on type. In the present study, we evaluated the cardiac function of patients with senile dementia using echocardiography. Included in the present study were 11 patients with Binswanger-type dementia (BD), 12 with cerebrovascular dementia (VD) of other types, 16 with senile dementia of Alzheimer-type (SDAT) and 15 controls. Left ventricular function was assessed by Mode M based on left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVDd), left ventricular end-systolic dimension (LVDs), left ventricular dimension shortening (FS), left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and cardiac output (CO). LVDd was significantly larger in the BD group than in the control, and LVDs was also significantly larger in the BD group than in the three other groups. FS was significantly decreased in the BD group compared to the SDAT and controls. FS was also significantly decreased in the VD group compared to the control. EF was significantly decreased in the BD group compared to the three other groups, and it was also significantly decreased in the VD group compared to the controls. There was no significant inter-group difference in SV or CO. FS and EF were found to be decreased in patients with cerebrovascular dementia, especially BD, indicating the presence of latent left ventricular hypofunction in these patients. This finding is important in predicting the prognosis of patients and conducting treatment and prevention.
Department of Geriatric Medicine, Tokyo Medical College.
Y
Y
Kobayashi
H
H
Hanyu
T
T
Sugiyama
S
S
Abe
M
M
Takasaki
Y
Y
Maehata
H
H
Katsunuma
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003704:Dementia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left