Carotid Revascularization Improves Cognition in Patients With Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis and Cognitive Decline. Greater Improvement in Younger Patients With More Disordered Neuropsychological Performance.

Objectives: There has been a growing interest in whether carotid revascularization may reverse cognitive decline. In this study the aim was to assess cognitive changes after carotid artery endarterectomy and stenting, using neuropsychological assessment with MoCA and CANTAB test.

Materials And Methods: Seventy patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis, qualified for CEA (study group A) and CAS (study group B) have been prospectively assessed. 20 patients with lower extremity artery disease (control group C) and 15 patients qualified for inguinal hernia surgery (control group D) have served as a control group. Patients have been evaluated 1 day before surgery and 6 months after, using MoCA and CANTAB test. Logistic regression models were built to determine variables affecting cognitive performance.

Results: After the procedure in the study group A the cognitive evaluation showed improvement in 5 cognitive domains tested in MoCA: visuospatial/executive (p=.0496), naming (p=.0831), language (p=.0009), abstraction (p=.0126) and delayed recall (p=.0016). In CANTAB there were improvement in PAL (p=.0290) and SWM (p=.0105). In study group B positive cognitive changes were seen in visuospatial/executive (p=.0827) and delayed recall (p=.0041) tested with MoCA and in PAL (PALFAMS28 p=.0315, PALNPR28 p=.0090, PALTEA28 p=.0058) and SWM (p=.0882) tested with CANTAB. Using a regression model, the only strong predictors of cognitive improvement on the follow-up visit were younger age and lower MoCA score on the first visit.

Conclusions: Carotid revascularization, both open and endovascular, lead to cognitive improvement in patients with severe carotid stenosis and cognitive decline. This effect seems to be stronger in younger patients with worst cognitive performance before surgery.