Relationship of reduced cerebral blood flow and heart failure severity in elderly males.

Introduction: Brain detrimental effects are under-recognised complication of chronic heart failure (CHF). One of the major causes may be cerebral hypoperfusion. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between cerebral blood flow (CBF) and severity of CHF as well as to evaluate its determinants among different parameters of cardiac dysfunction.

Methods: Seventy-one CHF males with NYHA class II and III and 20 control subjects age ≥ 55 years were recruited. CBF was evaluated by colour duplex sonography of extracranial arteries. Echocardiography, 6-min walk test, quality of life and endothelial function were also assessed. Serum NT-pro-BNP and adipokines levels (adiponectin and leptin) were measured.

Results: CBF was significantly reduced in elderly patients with CHF compared to healthy controls (677 +/- 170 vs 783 +/- 128 ml/min, p=0.011). Reduced CBF was associated with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (r=0.271, p=0.022), lower 6-min walk distance (r=0.339, p=0.004), deteriorated quality of life (r= -0.327, p=0.005), increased serum adiponectin (r= -0.359, p=0.002), and NT-pro-BNP levels (r= -0.375, p=0.001). In multivariate regression analysis, LVEF and adiponectin were independently associated with reduced CBF in CHF patients (R(2)=0.289).

Conclusion: CBF was reduced in elderly males with mild-to-moderate CHF, and was associated with factors that represent the severity of CHF including high serum adiponectin and NT-pro-BNP levels, decreased LVEF, impaired physical performance, and deteriorated quality of life.