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The brain in heart failure

Pullicino, Patrick (2004) The brain in heart failure. Malta Medical Journal, 16 (4). pp. 9-14. (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:12238)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.

Abstract

After atrial fibrillation, heart failure is the second most

frequent cardiac association of stroke. Deteriorating left

ventricular systolic function appears to increase the risk of

cardioembolic stroke in heart failure. Age, hypertension and

prior stroke are also risk factors for stroke in heart failure. Since

these are risk factors for cerebral and other vascular disease

rather than for cardioembolism, embolism may not be the sole

pathogenesis of stroke in heart failure. Hypoperfusion as a cause of cerebral injury is suggested by a reduction of blood flow and autoregulatory capacity in severe heart failure. An increase in cerebral infarct volume and impaired cognition in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction also supports this. There is a need for further research to define how the brain is affected by progressive cardiac failure and to determine which echocardiographic and other vascular risk factors best indicate an increased stroke risk.

Item Type: Article
Additional information: NOT IN FILE
Uncontrolled keywords: Heart failure, congestive, ventricular ejection fraction, brain ischemia, brain infarction, cognition
Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research
Depositing User: M.P. Stone
Date Deposited: 28 May 2009 19:28 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:50 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/12238 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Pullicino, Patrick.

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