Excess pressure but not pulse wave velocity is associated with cognitive function impairment: a community-based study

Background: Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV), an index of mainly distal aortic stiffness, has been inconsistently associated with cognitive function. Excess pressure, derived from the arterial reservoir-excess pressure analysis, may integrate the pulsatile load of the proximal aorta. The present study examined whether increased excess pressure is associated with cognitive function impairment in community adults. Methods: A total of 992 community participants (69.5% females; mean age: 67.3 years; education 13.6 years) without cerebrovascular disease or dementia received the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) to evaluate global cognition. Arterial reservoir and excess pressure, arterial stiffness, and wave reflections were assessed, using carotid tonometry and aortic Doppler flowmetry. Results: Excess pressure integral (XSPI), percentage XSPI, cf-PWV, characteristic impedance (Zc), and forward and backward pressure amplitude (Pf, Pb, respectively) were significantly higher in 197 participants (19.9%) with a low MoCA score (
Source: Journal of Hypertension - Category: Cardiology Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research