Cognitive dysfunction follows left heart catheterisation but is not related to microembolic count

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Left heart catheterisation with coronary angiography (CA) may lead to cognitive dysfunction, as a result of neurological injury. The aim was to assess the incidence of cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients three months after CA and investigate any association between cognitive dysfunction and microembolic count during CA. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study with a control cohort. Cognitive testing was undertaken at baseline and at 3 months using a battery of 8 neuropsychological tests. Subjects comprised 51 CA patients, aged ≥ 50 years, with normal baseline cognition, and 31 community control participants. Microemboli were measured by Transcranial Doppler thro..