Comprehensive treatment improves cognitive impairment in heart failur...( It is common for patients in heart fail...),Health

It is common for patients in heart failure to show cognitive dysfunction, known in the past as "cardiogenic dementia." However, by evaluating and treating some coexisting conditions observed in these patients, such as salt imbalances, anemia and hyperglycemia, their cognitive functions may improve independently of the underlying cardiac problems.

In a study published in the current issue of The American Journal of Medicine, researchers from the Catholic University, Rome, Italy and Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina examined records from 16,913 patients. Of these, 1511 suffered heart failure and 526 (35%) also exhibited cognitive dysfunction. Low serum albumin, sodium and potassium levels, hyperglycemia, anemia, and systolic blood pressure levels were independently associated with cognitive impairment.

According to Dr. Giuseppe Zuccal, "The issue of cognitive impairment associated with heart failure does not represent a mere academic questionAmong older patients with heart failure, cognitive dysfunction has been associated with a fivefold increase in the risk of mortality, and a sixfold increase in the probability of dependence for the activities of daily living."

Treating cognitive dysfunction independently may yield benefits. Dr. Zuccal continues, "Our data indicate that normalization of glucose, potassium, and hemoglobin levels during hospital stay is associated with increased cognitive performance at discharge. This confirms the need for a comprehensive approach to heart failure in older populations."

'"/>

Contact: Pamela Poppalardo
ajmmedia@elsevier.com
212-633-3944
Elsevier Health Sciences
29-Apr-2005

Page: 1
Related medicine news :

1. Comprehensive reforms to move toward patient-centered care released by ACP
2. Spot on treatment for acne
3. New treatment boosts muscle function in myasthenia gravis
4. New treatment effective in counteracting cocaine-induced symptoms
5. UCLA researchers awarded $9M contract for study identifiying antibiotic treatment for MRSA
6. Preventive treatments in elderly people needs rethinking
7. Osteoporosis screening and treatment may be cost-effective for selected older men
8. Quality of treatment guidelines
9. Green tea holds promise as new treatment for inflammatory skin diseases
10. Many heart attack patients still not getting emergency clot-busting treatment
11. Electric fields have potential as a cancer treatment