Correlation of Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction with Cognitive Impairment in Heart Failure Patients

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the correlation between (Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and cognitive function among patients with Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) attending the tertiary care cardiology unit. Materials & Methods: The study was conducted in Mardan Medical College and included 245 patients with chronic heart failure included in the study. The patients were selected one after another during the study period. A complete heart examination was performed on each patient. This included a physical exam, heart tracing test, and heart ultrasound. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was the parameter used to measure the pumping power of the heart. A simple questionnaire–the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to assess mental ability. Results: Patients' mean age was approximately 59 years. Out of 245 patients, 158 were male. The most frequent cause of heart failure was the blockage of the blood vessels that supply the heart. The average pumping ability of the heart was approximately 35%. Patients with weaker heart pumping function also had lower mental ability scores. There was a strong correlation between heart pumping power and mental performance. This indicates that the ability of the brain to function declined as the heart's pumping ability weakened.  Conclusion: Those who had less pumping strength were more likely to have issues with memory, thinking, and understanding. As such, mental functions should be evaluated as a routine part of the evaluation of patients with chronic heart failure.