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Heart 98:1334-1340 doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2012-301682
  • Review

Cardiac disease and cognitive impairment: a systematic review

  1. Erik J A Scherder1
  1. 1Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  2. 2Department of Cardiology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  3. 3Department of Internal Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  1. Correspondence to Dr Laura H P Eggermont, Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, VU University, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands; lhp.eggermont{at}vu.nl

  1. Contributors I certify that neither this manuscript nor one with substantially similar content under my authorship has been published or is being considered for publication elsewhere.

  • Received 17 January 2012
  • Revised 26 April 2012
  • Accepted 1 May 2012
  • Published Online First 11 June 2012

Abstract

Cognitive impairment in cardiac patients may interfere with disease management. This review describes studies examining specific cognitive impairments in cardiac patients and studies that investigate the link between echocardiographic and cognitive measures. Executive function impairments were frequently reported in different patient groups. Also, lower cardiac output and worse left ventricular diastolic function are linked to executive function deficits. In cardiac patients, special attention should be paid to these executive function impairments in view of their role in disease management and independent living. Interventions that stimulate executive function should be encouraged and integrated in cardiac treatment protocols.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests None.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; internally peer reviewed.

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    1. heartjnl-2012-301682v1
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