Heart Failure-Induced Brain Injury

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is a systemic illness with grave implications for bodily functions. The brain, among other vital organs, often suffers insults as a result of HF, and both anatomic and functional brain abnormalities were found in the HF population. This injury was demonstrated across a wide range of clinical conditions and cardiac functions and was shown to affect patients' outcomes. Although reduced cardiac output and high burden of cardiovascular risk factors are the prevailing explanations for these findings, there are data showing the involvement of neurohormonal, nutritional, and inflammatory mechanisms in this complex process. Here, the authors review the suggested pathophysiology behind brain injury in HF, describe its effect on patients' outcomes, offer a diagnostic approach, and discuss possible therapeutic options.

Medical Subject Headings

Brain (pathology); Brain Injuries (etiology, pathology, psychology); Cerebrovascular Circulation; Cognitive Dysfunction (etiology); Heart Failure (complications); Humans

Publication Date

3-28-2017

Publication Title

Journal of the American College of Cardiology

E-ISSN

1558-3597

Volume

69

Issue

12

First Page

1609

Last Page

1616

PubMed ID

28335844

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1016/j.jacc.2017.01.022

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