A pilot clinical trial of a self-management intervention in patients with a left ventricular assist device.

Self-management is a health behavior known to predict treatment outcomes in patients with multiple co-morbidities and/or chronic conditions. However, the self-management process and outcomes in the left-ventricular assist device (LVAD) population are understudied. This pilot randomized control trial (RCT) evaluated the feasibility of a novel "smartphone app-directed and nurse-supported self-management intervention" in patients implanted with durable LVADs. Assessments included behavioral (self-efficacy and adherence), clinical (complications), and healthcare utilization (unplanned clinic, emergency room (ER) visits, and re-hospitalization) outcomes, completed at baseline (pre-hospital discharge) and months 1, 3, and 6 post-hospital discharge. Intervention patients (n = 14) had favorable patterns/trends of results across study outcomes than control patients (n = 16). Notably, intervention patients had much lower complications and healthcare utilization rates than controls. For example, intervention patients had 2 (14.3%) driveline infections in 6 months while control patients had 3 (19.0%). Additionally, at month 3, intervention patients had 0% ER visits versus 36% of control patients. At month 6, the mean cumulative number of re-hospitalizations for the control group was higher (0.9 ± 0.93) than intervention (0.3 ± 0.61) group. Despite the small sample size and limitations of feasibility/pilot studies, our outcomes data appeared to favor the novel intervention. Lessons learned from this study suggest the intervention should be implemented for 6 months post-hospital discharge. Further research is needed including large and rigorous multi-center RCTs to generate knowledge explaining the mechanism of the effect of self-management on LVAD treatment outcomes.

Is Hemispheric Hypoperfusion a Treatable Cause of Cognitive Impairment?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the current literature that supports the notion that cerebral hemodynamic compromise from internal carotid artery stenosis may be a cause of vascular cognitive impairment that is amenable to treatment by revascularization. RECENT FINDINGS: Converging evidence suggests that successful carotid endarterectomy and carotid artery stenting are associated with reversal of cognitive decline in many patients with severe but asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis. Most of these findings have been derived from cohort studies and comparisons with either normal or surgical controls. Failure to find treatment benefit in a number of studies appears to have been the result of patient heterogeneity or confounding from concomitant conditions independently associated with cognitive decline, such as heart failure and other cardiovascular risk factors, or failure to establish pre-procedure hemodynamic failure. Patients with severe carotid artery stenosis causing cerebral hemodynamic impairment may have a reversible cause of cognitive decline. None of the prior studies, however, were done in the context of a randomized clinical trial with large numbers of participants. The ongoing CREST-2 trial comparing revascularization with medical therapy versus medical therapy alone, and its associated CREST-H study determining whether cognitive decline is reversible among those with hemodynamic compromise may address this question.

Cognition and Quality of Life in Symptomatic Carotid Occlusion.

PURPOSE: Carotid occlusion may result in stroke, TIA, and cognitive reductions. Whether cognition predicts quality of life (QOL) for patients with carotid occlusion is unknown. Depression is also known to affect QOL. We examined whether cognition and depression predicted QOL in patients with carotid occlusive disease who have not had revascularization. METHODS: Patients with unilateral carotid occlusion and history of TIA or a remote history of minor stroke were included. Patients underwent exam of memory, language, motor, and executive function skills and completed depression and QOL questionnaires (Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression [CES-D], Stroke Specific QOL [SSQOL]). Deficits from remote stroke were assessed with the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Z-scores for cognitive tests were averaged (Cog-Z). The SSQOL scores were averaged across subgroup domains. Analyses of patients with all depression levels were followed by subgroup analyses for patients with minimal depression. Correlation findings were used to select the variables in a regression model to predict SSQOL. RESULTS: Among 37 patients with all depression levels, QOL was predicted by deficits from remote stroke and depression (F(3, 36) = 21.15, P<.0005; NIHSS Beta = -.392, P = .001; CES-D Beta = -.577, P < .0005). Among 22 patients with minimal depression, QOL was predicted by cognitive and depression scores, (F(2,21) = 7.88, P = .003; Cog-Z Beta = .364, P = .05; CES-D Beta = -.495, P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with carotid occlusive disease without major stroke and without revascularization, cognitive and depression scores independently predicted QOL. These data demonstrate the clinical relevance of cognitive and mood decline among patients with carotid occlusion.

Advancing the Science of Self-Management in Adults With Long-Term Left Ventricular Assist Devices.

This study tested the applicability of the individual and family self-management theory (IFSMT) to self-management (SM) in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). From an existing data set, we extracted the following variables that correspond to IFSMT's conceptual dimensions: anxiety, depression, and cognition (context dimension); self-efficacy (SM process dimension); adherence and quality of life (QOL; outcome dimensions). Descriptive statistics and partial least squares path modeling procedures were used for data analyses. A total of 100 patients (mean age 52 ± 13.4 years) with continuous flow LVAD designs comprised the present study. Most patients were White (78%), married (69%), college-educated (72%), and on disability (53%). Their mean anxiety and depression scores were slightly above normal, while their cognitive function scores were slightly lower than normal. LVAD care self-efficacy, adherence, and QOL were within normal ranges. Factor loadings ranged from 0.50 to 1.0, and there were significant forward path relationships among the context, process, and outcome dimensions (ß ranges from 0.02 to 0.60, all P values < 0.05). In conclusion, the IFSMT provides a good fit for SM in LVAD. Further research is needed to clarify how best to improve LVAD SM practice and treatment outcomes.

Cerebral blood flow and neurocognition in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis.

Aims: Aortic valve stenosis (AS) results in higher systolic pressure to overcome resistance from the stenotic valve, leading to heart failure and decline in cardiac output. There has been no assessment of cerebral blood flow (CBF) association with neurocognition in AS or the effects of valve replacement. The goal was to determine if AS is associated with altered cerebral haemodynamics and impaired neurocognition, and whether transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) improves haemodynamics and cognition. Methods and results: In 42 patients with planned TAVR, transcranial Doppler (TCD) assessed bilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) mean flow velocities (MFVs); abnormality was <34.45 cm/s. The neurocognitive battery assessed memory, language, attention, visual-spatial skills, and executive function, yielding a composite Z-score. Impairment was <1.5 SDs below the normative mean. The mean age was 78 years, 59% Male, and the mean valve gradient was 46.87 mm/Hg. Mean follow-up was 36 days post-TAVR (range 27-55). Pre-TAVR, the mean MFV was 42.36 cm/s (SD = 10.17), and the mean cognitive Z-score was -0.22 SDs (range -1.99 to 1.08) below the normative mean. Among the 34 patients who returned after TAVR, the MFV was 41.59 cm/s (SD = 10.42), not different from baseline (P = 0.66, 2.28-3.67). Post-TAVR, average Z-scores were 0.17 SDs above the normative mean, not meeting the pre-specified threshold for a clinically significant 0.5 SD change. Conclusion: Among patients with severe AS, there was little impairment of MFV on TCD and no correlation with cognition. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement did not affect MFV or cognition. Assumptions about diminished CBF and improvement after TAVR were not supported.

Capnography-Assisted Learned, Monitored (CALM) breathing therapy for dysfunctional breathing in COPD: A bridge to pulmonary rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: Although dyspnea is a primary symptom of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), its treatment is suboptimal. In both COPD and acute anxiety, breathing patterns become dysregulated, contributing to abnormal CO2, dyspnea, and inefficient recovery from breathing challenges. While pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) improves dyspnea, only 1-2% of patients access it. Individuals with anxiety who use PR have worse outcomes. METHODS: We present the protocol of a randomized controlled trial designed to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a new, four-week mind-body intervention that we developed, called "Capnography-Assisted Learned, Monitored (CALM) Breathing," as an adjunct to PR. Eligible participants are randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either CALM Breathing program or Usual Care. CALM Breathing consists of 10 core, slow breathing exercises combined with real time biofeedback (of end-tidal CO2, respiratory rate, and airflow) and motivational interviewing. CALM Breathing promotes self-regulated breathing, linking CO2 changes to dyspnea and anxiety symptoms and targeting breathing efficiency and self-efficacy in COPD. Participants are randomized to CALM Breathing or a Usual Care control group. RESULTS: Primary outcomes include feasibility and acceptability metrics of recruitment efficiency, participant retention, intervention adherence and fidelity, PR facilitation, patient satisfaction, and favorable themes from interviews. Secondary outcomes include breathing biomarkers, symptoms, health-related quality of life, six-minute walk distance, lung function, mood, physical activity, and PR utilization and engagement. CONCLUSION: By disrupting the cycle of dyspnea and anxiety, and providing a needed bridge to PR, CALM Breathing may address a substantive gap in healthcare and optimize treatment for patients with COPD.

Neuroimaging biomarkers of cognitive recovery after ischemic stroke.

Post-stroke cognitive impairment affects more than one-third of patients after an ischemic stroke (IS). Identifying markers of potential cognitive recovery after ischemic stroke can guide patients' selection for treatments, enrollment in clinical trials, and cognitive rehabilitation methods to restore cognitive abilities in post-stroke patients. Despite the burden of post-stroke cognitive impairment, biomarkers of cognitive recovery are an understudied area of research. This narrative review summarizes and critically reviews the current literature on the use and utility of neuroimaging as a predictive biomarker of cognitive recovery after IS. Most studies included in this review utilized structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to predict cognitive recovery after IS; these studies highlighted baseline markers of cerebral small vessel disease and cortical atrophy as predictors of cognitive recovery. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) using resting-state functional connectivity and Diffusion Imaging are potential biomarkers of cognitive recovery after IS, although more precise predictive tools are needed. Comparison of these studies is limited by heterogeneity in cognitive assessments. For all modalities, current findings need replication in larger samples. Although no neuroimaging tool is ready for use as a biomarker at this stage, these studies suggest a clinically meaningful role for neuroimaging in predicting post-stroke cognitive recovery.

Uncontrolled HIV and inflammation is associated with intracranial saccular aneurysm presence.

OBJECTIVE: To study biomarkers of inflammation in cerebrovascular disease, exploring modifiable and non-modifiable biochemical and clinical risk factors associated with the presence of intracranial saccular aneurysms (ISAs) in an HIV-positive cohort. DESIGN: A cross-sectional community-based study was used to study blood biomarkers of inflammation as predictors of cerebrovascular disease, specifically the presence of ISAs in persons with HIV. Potential biochemical and clinical predictors of ISA presence were identified. METHODS: Time of flight magnetic resonance angiography and magnetic resonance imaging data identified the presence of ISAs in an HIV-positive cohort. Quantitative assays for neuroinflammatory biomarkers were performed on plasma blood samples. Lasso regression models were used to identify neuroinflammatory biomarkers and clinical risk factors associated with ISAs. RESULTS: Eight of 72 participants had radiographically identified ISAs. ISAs were more common in non-Hispanic black participants (18.5% vs. 0% presence in nonblack patients). Participants with well controlled HIV (defined as CD4+ count >200 cells/ml and undetectable viral load at time of magnetic resonance imaging) had lower odds of ISAs (odds ratio: 0.19, 95% confidence interval 0.05-0.79) independent of age, sex, ethnicity and vascular risk factors. Macrophage inflammatory protein-1 p, an HIV- suppressive factor detected in participant blood samples, was inversely associated with aneurysm presence. CONCLUSION: Well controlled HIV is associated with fewer ISAs. The identification of non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors contributing to ISA formation may provide valuable insight to impact clinical practice and inform the pathophysiology underlying ISA formation.

Allostatic load predicts racial disparities in intracerebral hemorrhage cognitive outcomes.

A large portion of stroke disparities remains unexplained, even after adjusting for demographic, comorbidity, and health care access variables. There is a critical need to close this knowledge gap by investigating novel factors that may contribute to stroke disparities. Allostatic load (AL) is the lifetime adverse physiologic impact of needing to adjust to socially structured stressors such as racism. AL has been shown to increase health vulnerability and worsen outcomes in marginalized populations. We sought to assess the differential impact of AL on cognitive outcomes post intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) across race-ethnicity. The Intracerebral Hemorrhage Outcomes Project (ICHOP) prospectively collected data from patients presenting to Columbia Medical Center with ICH from 3/2009 to 5/2016. Data included demographics, stroke scores, labs, complications, neuroimaging, medical history, and discharge data. Five markers of AL (HbA1c, WBC, SBP, HR, ALB) were obtained. An AL score was generated by summing the elements in each patient that fell outside normal ranges, with AL score ranging 0-5. A linear regression model, adjusted for stroke severity and ICH volumes, was used to evaluate the relationship between AL and Modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS-m) at discharge, stratified by race-ethnicity. Among 248 white, 195 black, and 261 Hispanic ICH patients, neither mean AL nor mean TICS differed by race/ethnicity (p = 0.51, p = 0.79 respectively). In the overall cohort AL did not predict TICS at discharge (Beta -1.0, SE 1.1, p = 0.353). In Whites (beta 1.18, SE 2.5, p = 0.646) and Hispanics (beta -0.95, SE 1.6, p = 0.552) AL was not associated with TICS at discharge. In Black patients, higher AL was associated with a decrease in TICS at discharge (beta -3.2, SE 1.5, p = 0.049). AL is an important determinant of post ICH outcomes for certain minority populations. AL may explain some of the unexplained health disparities in stroke populations.

Patient-Reported Issues Following Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation Hospitalization.

The purpose of this study was to explore the information reported by patients via a smartphone application (VAD Care App) used for left ventricular assist device (LVAD) self-care monitoring and reporting post hospital discharge. Specific aims were to examine the type and frequency of issues reported by patients through the app during months 1, 3, and 6 postdischarge. An exploratory-descriptive research design was used with 17 patients (12 males and 5 females) with durable LVADs, mean age of 48.6 ± 16 years. Data generated by the patients' daily smartphone app usage more than 6 months were extracted from the server. Data were coded and clustered according to issues reported by patients via the app and analyzed with descriptive statistics. Three clusters of issues were found: physiologic, behavioral (self-care), and signs and symptoms. LVAD flows and pulsatility indices, hypertension, driveline care, and heart failure symptoms were worse at month 1, and then appeared to improve at months 3-6. However, abnormal levels of the international normalization ratio were common at all assessment points. Further research is needed to understand the mechanism of the reported issues on treatment outcomes, then develop and test interventions to inform evidence-based practice and clinical guidelines for smartphone apps used in LVAD self-care monitoring.

Cognition predicts days-alive-out-of-hospital after LVAD implantation.

OBJECTIVE: Cognition influences hospitalization rates for a variety of patient groups but this association has not been examined in heart failure (HF) patients undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. We used cognition to predict days-alive-out-of-hospital (DAOH) in patients after LVAD surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 59 HF patients with cognitive assessment prior to LVAD. Cognitive tests of attention, memory, language, and visual motor speed were averaged into one score. DAOH was converted to a percentage based on total days from LVAD surgery to either heart transplant or 900 days post-LVAD. Variables significantly associated with DAOH in univariate analyses were included in a linear regression model to predict DAOH. RESULTS: A linear regression model including LVAD type (continuous or pulsatile flow) and cognition significantly predicted DAOH (F(2,54) = 6.44, p = 0.003, R2 = .19). Inspection of each variable revealed that cognition was a significant predictor in the model (ß = .11, SE = .04, p = 0.007) but LVAD type was not (p = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive performance assessed prior to LVAD implantation predicted how much time patients spent out of the hospital following surgery. Further studies are warranted to identify the impact of pre-LVAD cognition on post-LVAD hospitalization.

Predicting post-LVAD outcome: Is there a role for cognition?

BACKGROUND: Cognition has been found to influence risk of stroke and death for a variety of patient groups but this association has not been examined in heart failure (HF) patients undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implant. We aimed to study the relationship between cognition, stroke, and death in a cohort of patients who received LVAD therapy. It was hypothesized that cognitive test results obtained prior to LVAD placement would predict stroke and death after surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 59 HF patients who had cognitive assessment prior to LVAD placement. Cognitive assessment included measures of attention, memory, language, and visualmotor speed and were averaged to produce one z-score variable per patient. Survival analyses, censored for transplant, evaluated predictors for stroke and death within a follow-up period of 900 days. RESULTS: For patients with stroke or death during the follow up period, the average cognitive z-score predicted post-LVAD stroke (HR = 0.513, 95% CI = 0.31-0.86, p = 0.012) and death (HR = 0.166, 95% CI = 0.06-0.47, p = 0.001). Cognitive performances were worse in the patients who suffered stroke or died. No other variable predicted stroke and death within the follow up period when the cognitive variable was in the model. CONCLUSION: Cognitive performance was predictive of post-LVAD risk of stroke and death. Results are consistent with findings from other studies in non-LVAD samples and may reflect early signs of neurologic vulnerability. Further studies are needed to clarify the relationship between cognition and LVAD outcomes in order to optimize patient selection, management, and advanced care planning.

Cerebrovascular Contributions to Neurocognitive Disorders in People Living With HIV.

BACKGROUND: To investigate a comprehensive array of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based biomarkers of cerebrovascular disease (CVD) in a cohort of people living with HIV (PLWH) and relate these imaging biomarkers to cognition. SETTINGS: Cross-sectional, community-based study. METHODS: Participants were PLWH in New York City, aged 50 years or older. They underwent a brain magnetic resonance angiography or MRI to ascertain 7 MRI markers of CVD: silent brain infarcts, dilated perivascular spaces, microhemorrhages, white matter hyperintensity volume, white matter fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity (measures of white matter integrity), and intracranial large artery stenosis. Participants underwent a battery of neurocognitive tests to obtain individual and global cognitive scores representative of various aspects of cognition. RESULTS: We included 85 participants (mean age 60 ± 6 years, 48% men, 78% non-Hispanic Black), most of them with well-controlled HIV (75% with CD4 cell count > 200 cells/mm3 and viral load < 400 copies/mL at or near the time of the MRI scan). Silent brain infarcts, intracranial large artery stenosis, and poor white matter integrity were associated with poorer performance in at least one cognitive domain, but the sum of these 3 MRI markers of CVD was associated with lower working memory (B = -0.213, P = 0.028), list learning (B = -0.275, P = 0.019), and global cognition (B = -0.129, P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: We identified silent brain infarcts, intracranial large artery stenosis, and poor white matter integrity as exposures that may be modifiable and may, therefore, influence cognitive decline. In addition, these MRI markers of CVD may help in identifying PLWH at higher risk of cognitive decline, which may be more amenable to targeted therapies.

Cognitive Impairment Correlates Linearly with Mean Flow Velocity by Transcranial Doppler below a Definable Threshold.

INTRODUCTION: Low cerebral blood flow can affect cognition in patients with high-grade asymptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis. Current clinical algorithms use stroke risk to determine which patients should undergo revascularization without considering cognitive decline. Although correlations between low-flow and cognitive impairment have been reported, it is not known whether a threshold exists below which such a correlation expresses itself. Such information would be critical in treatment decisions about whether to intervene in patients with high-grade carotid artery stenosis who are at risk for cognitive decline. OBJECTIVE: To determine how reduced blood flow correlates with lower cognitive scores. METHODS: Patients with ≥80% unilateral internal carotid artery stenosis with no history of stroke were recruited from inpatient and outpatient practices at a single, large, comprehensive stroke center. Patients underwent bilateral insonation of middle cerebral arteries with standard 2-Hz probes over the temporal windows with transcranial Doppler. Cognitive assessments were performed by an experienced neuropsychologist using a cognitive battery comprising 14 standardized tests with normative samples grouped by age. Z-scores were generated for each test and averaged to obtain a composite Z-score for each patient. Multivariable linear regression examined associations between mean flow velocity (MFV) and composite Z-score, adjusting for age, education, and depression. The Davies test was used to determine if there was a breakpoint for a non-zero difference in slope of a segmented relationship over the range of composite Z-score values. RESULTS: Forty-two patients with unilateral high-grade internal carotid artery stenosis without stroke were enrolled (26 males, age = 74 ± 9 years, education = 16 ± 3 years). Average composite Z-score was -0.31 SD below the age-specific normative mean (range -2.8 to +1.2 SD). In linear regression adjusted for age, education, and depression, MFV correlated with cognitive Z-score (ß = 0.308, p = 0.043). A single breakpoint in the range of composite Z-scores was identified at 45 cm/s. For MFV <45 cm/s, Z-score decreased 0.05 SD per cm/s MFV (95% CI: 0.01-0.10). For MFV >45 cm/s, Z-score change was nonsignificant (95% CI: -0.07 to 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In high-grade, asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis, cognitive impairment correlated linearly with lower flow in the hemisphere fed by the occluded internal carotid artery, but only below a threshold of MFV = 45 cm/s. Identifying a hemodynamic threshold for cognitive decline using a simple, noninvasive method may influence revascularization decision-making in otherwise "asymptomatic" carotid disease.

Collaboration between neuropsychologists and speech-language pathologists in rehabilitation settings.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to understand the barriers and facilitators of communication and collaboration between speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and neuropsychologists (NPs) in rehabilitation settings. METHOD: Focus groups were held at 3 rehabilitation hospitals. Participants were a convenience sample and were considered representatives of acquired brain injury rehabilitation teams that include SLPs and NPs. There were a total of 28 SLPs and 10 NPs in the sample. The study used a semistructured interview guide for the focus group discussions, using questions centered on major areas known to be related to interdisciplinary collaboration. Written notes and audio recordings were analyzed for recurring and strongly stated themes. RESULTS: Consistent themes emerged across focus groups, which included (1) structure of collaboration, (2) perceived roles of NPs and SLPs in assessment and intervention, (3) similarities and differences in training and philosophic perspectives, (4) barriers to successful collaboration, and (5) facilitators of collaboration. CONCLUSION: The SLPs and NPs valued the contributions of both professions in the management of patients with acquired brain injuries. Effective collaboration appeared to be influenced by several factors and is discussed. It was evident that effective communication was a key and powerful element in successful collaboration.

Ready, Set, Go: How Patients and Caregivers Are Prepared for Self-Management of an Implantable Ventricular Assist Device.

Since the first use of an implantable ventricular assist device (VAD) nearly 3 decades ago, many VAD Centers in the United States expect patients and caregivers to manage the device and related care following hospital discharge. Despite this customary practice and the rapid advancements in VAD technology, no research data about the patient and caregiver preparations exist for self-management of VAD. This study explored the process of preparing patients and caregivers for VAD care before hospital discharge along with their perceived experiences of the discharge process. Using an exploratory research design, we collected the data with self-administered demographics and VAD Hospital Discharge Survey questionnaires. We analyzed the data provided by 102 patients and 116 caregivers from different regions in the United States. Patients' mean age was 51.4 ± 13.8 years; they were predominantly White (78%); male (66%); and duration of device between 2 and 74 months. Caregivers were predominantly White (80%); female (81%); and had a mean of age 48.9 ± 12.7 years. Participants reported that their VAD care preparations, a crucial component of hospital discharge, were extensive and intensive processes comprising education, training, competency validation, and provision of resources for VAD self-management in home settings. Participants were satisfied with the process and felt prepared for discharge. Further research is needed to rectify the study limitations, advance the science of VAD self-management, and develop evidenced-based VAD self-management guidelines that are aimed at optimizing longevity of the VAD, patients' health, and quality of life.

Women have worse cognitive, functional, and psychiatric outcomes at hospital discharge after cardiac arrest.

AIM: To examine gender differences among cardiac arrest (CA) survivors' cognitive, functional, and psychiatric outcomes at discharge. METHODS: This is a prospective, observational cohort of 187 CA patients admitted to Columbia University Medical Center, considered for Targeted Temperature Management (TTM), and survived to hospital discharge between September 2015 and July 2017. Patients with sufficient mental status at hospital discharge to engage in the Repeatable Battery for Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), Modified Lawton Physical Self-Maintenance Scale (M-PSMS), Cerebral Performance Category Scale (CPC), Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist - Civilian Version (PCL-C) were included. Fisher's exact, Wilcoxon Rank Sum, and regression analysis were utilized. RESULTS: 80 patients (38% women, 44% white, mean age 53 ±â€¯17 years) were included. No significant gender differences were found for age, race, Charlson Comorbidity Index, premorbid CPC or psychiatric diagnoses, arrest related variables, discharge CPC, or PCL-C scores. Women had significantly worse RBANS (64.9 vs 74.8, p = .01), M-PSMS (13.6 vs 10.6, p = .02), and CES-D (22.8 vs 14.3, p = .02) scores. These significant differences were maintained in multivariate models after adjusting for age, initial rhythm, time to return of spontaneous circulation, and TTM. CONCLUSIONS: Women have worse cognitive, functional, and psychiatric outcomes at hospital discharge after cardiac arrest than men. Identifying factors contributing to these differences is of great importance in cardiac arrest outcomes research.

Posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms characterize cardiac arrest survivors' perceived recovery at hospital discharge.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms, not cognitive or functional impairment, are associated with cardiac arrest survivors' negative recovery perceptions at hospital discharge. METHODS: Prospective observational cohort of cardiac arrest patients admitted between 9/2015-5/2017. Survival to discharge with sufficient mental status to complete a psychosocial interview was the main inclusion criterion. Perceived recovery was assessed through the question, "Do you feel that you have made a complete recovery from your arrest?" The following measures were examined as potential correlates of perceived recovery: Repeatable Battery for Assessment of Neuropsychological Status, Modified Lawton Physical Self-Maintenance Scale, Barthel Index, Modified Rankin Scale, Cerebral Performance Category, Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D), and PTSD Checklist-Specific (PCL-S). Logistic regression evaluated associations between perceived recovery and potential correlates of recovery. RESULTS: 64/354 patients (58% men, 48% white, mean age 52 ±â€¯17) were included. 67% (n = 43) had a negative recovery perception. There were no differences among patients' cognitive and functional domains. In individual models, patients with higher PCL-S and CES-D scores were more likely to have a negative recovery perception after adjusting for age and gender (OR: 1.2, 95% CI [1.1, 1.4], p = 0.003) and (OR: 1.1, 95% CI [1.0, 1.1], p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Within one month after a cardiac arrest event, survivors' negative recovery perceptions are associated with psychological distress.

Does cognition improve following LVAD implantation?

BACKGROUND: Studies of cognition after LVAD surgery have produced mixed results. To explore whether cognition would improve, decline, or remain stable after LVAD surgery, we examined cognition before and 1- and 3-months after LVAD surgery. Patients with post-surgical stroke were excluded. METHODS: 28 subjects (mean age = 54.31 ± 12 years) comprised an observational case series from the DuraHeart LVAS device® trial. Cognitive testing was performed at baseline, 1-month, and 3-month post-surgery, and included tests of attention, memory, language, visualmotor speed (TMT) and visualconstruction. RESULTS: No difference in cognition was found between baseline and 1-month exams (means z score improvement = 0.06, p = 0.43) but cognition improved significantly between baseline and 3-month exams (mean z score improvement = 0.34, p < 0.00001). Examination of individual test scores found, after correction for multiple comparisons, only the TMT variable was significantly different at the 3-month exam. CONCLUSIONS: We found significantly improved cognition 3 months after LVAD surgery in a subset of patients without post-surgical stroke. The reasons for the lack of cognitive improvement at the 1-month post-surgical assessment may include ongoing medical and physiological disruptions in the immediate post-operative period. Further research into the sources of delayed improvement is warranted. Cognitive assessments performed immediately after surgery should be interpreted with caution because the results may not reflect longer term cognitive outcomes. LVAD patients may require additional support to successfully manage their health in the weeks immediately following surgery but assistance needs may decrease over time.