title: Neurocognitive assessments in advanced heart failure patients receiving continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neurocognitive (NC) changes in heart failure patients receiving left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to document changes in the cognitive performance of patients with the continuous-flow HeartMate II LVAD as a bridge to transplant (BTT).
  
  
  METHODS
  A NC protocol was used to evaluate patient performance at 1, 3 and 6 months after LVAD implantation at 11 centers. A total of 239 test sessions were completed in 93 patients including paired evaluations in 51 to 57 patients from 1 to 3 months, and in 20 to 28 patients with results from 1, 3 and 6 months. Five NC domains were assessed, including visual spatial perception, auditory and visual memory, executive functions, language and processing speed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were statistically significant (p < 0.05), but limited improvements between 1, 3 and 6 months in NC domain performances as seen in visual memory, executive functions, visual spatial perception and processing speed. There were no significant declines in any neurocognitive test in any domain over these time periods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The cognitive performance of advanced heart failure patients remained stable or showed slight improvements from Month 1 to Month 6 of continuous-blood-flow support with the HeartMate II LVAD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Drexel University College of Medicine, 245 North 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA. ralph.petrucci@drexelmed.edu
authors.forename: Ralph J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Petrucci
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Yoshifuma
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Naka
authors.forename: Kathy A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Idrissi
authors.forename: Stuart D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: Dzifa
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dordunoo
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jaski
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chillcott
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Feldman
authors.forename: Tammy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yanssens
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Heatley
authors.forename: Lalig
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Koundakjian
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Farrar
authors.forename: Keith D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Aaronson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000503:physiopathology; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult