Neurocognitive assessments in advanced heart failure patients receiving continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices.
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.
Petrucci
Ralph J
RJ
Department of Psychiatry, Drexel University College of Medicine, 245 North 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA. ralph.petrucci@drexelmed.edu
Wright
Susan
S
Naka
Yoshifuma
Y
Idrissi
Kathy A
KA
Russell
Stuart D
SD
Dordunoo
Dzifa
D
Jaski
Brian
B
Chillcott
Suzanne
S
Feldman
David
D
Yanssens
Tammy
T
Heatley
Gerald
G
Koundakjian
Lalig
L
Farrar
David J
DJ
Aaronson
Keith D
KD
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