Abstract:
Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is an important risk factor for cognitive impairment. It
is also assumed that cognitive impairment may increase the risk of future cardiovascular events
(CV). There is a growing interest in the relationship between cardiac and cognitive functions, both
of which are often impaired in the elderly. Also significant cognitive impairment occurring after
stroke and myocardial infarction.
Objectives: To determine the association between risks of cognitive impairment using scores
on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and CV events.
Methods: Our study included 50 patients (11 strokes, 16 myocardial infarctions and 23
congestive heart failures) hospitalized in the Cardiology Department of Holy Trinity Hospital. We
divided patients according to MMSE in 3 categories:
1. Lack of cognitive dysfunction: M M SE-24-30points;
2. Moderate cognitive dysfunction: M M SE-18-23 points;
3. Severe cognitive dysfunction: M M SE-0-17 points.
Maximum score for MMSE is 30 points.
The table shows that severe cognitive deficit is characteristic for patients with stroke and
congestive heart failure. Moderate cognitive dysfunction was characteristic for patients with
myocardial infarction and stroke.
MMSE Scale is an useful tool in detecting cognitive deficit as areas for patients with stroke,
while the most characteristic are impairment of orientation (place), attention and calculation. For
patients with myocardial infarction the most characteristic are impairment of recall and
comprehension, for patients with congestive heart failure the most characteristic are impairment of
registration, writing and copying.
Discussion: We found that baseline MMSE had the strongest association with stroke.
Previous studies have shown that a prior history of clinical stroke is a much stronger predictor of
recurrent stroke than myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure.
Conclusion: MMSE is detecting tool for cognitive impairment in predicting cardiovascular
events.
Description:
Cardiology Department, State University
of Medicine and Pharmacy "Nicolae Testemitanu", Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
