P58: Arterial Stiffness is associated with Lower Performance on The Cognitive Tests At Different Domains in Hypertensive Patients

Background Cognitive impairment and elevated arterial stiffness are described in arterial hypertension (AH), but its correlations are not well studied. Objectives To study the cognitive function at different domains and arterial properties in patients with AH stage 1 to 3 compared to normotensives and to evaluate the correlations between these variables. Methods We evaluated 71 normotensives (52 ± 14 yrs, 47% male, 65% white) and 150 patients with stage 1–3 AH (52 ± 12 yrs, 45% male, 70% white) under treatment. The global cognitive function was assessed by Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).A validated battery of neuropsychological tests (NPE) assessed the main cognitive areas: memory, language, visuospatial ability, executive function, attention. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured by Complior® device. Carotid properties were assessed by radiofrequency ultrasound (WTS®). Central arterial pressure and augmentation index (AIx) were obtained using applanation tonometry (Sphygmocor®). Results: Mean BP of the normotensive group (122.1 ± 8/76.7 ± 7 mmHg) was significantly lower than hypertensive patients (135.2 ± 13/83.3 ± 10 and 149.9 ± 29/91.5 ± 16 mmHg). Severe HTN group had worse performance in cognitive evaluation either by MMSE (26.8 ± 2.1 vs 27.4 ± 2.1 vs. 28.0 ± 2.0, p = 0.004) or MoCA test (23.4 ± 3.7 vs. 24.9 ± 2.8 vs. 25.5 ± 3.2, p < 0.001). On the neuropsychological tests hypertensive patients had worse performance mainly in visuoperceptual and visuospatial capacities and executive function. On the multivariate regression analysis, the following independent associations were observed: Aix–language, executive function, visuospatial and attention; cSBP–MoCA; IMT–memory and attention; PWV–memory, executive function, visuospatial and attention. Higher PWV group had more cognitive dysfunction. Conclusions Cognitive impairment at different domains was more frequent in patients with different stages of AH. Arterial functional and structural properties were diversely associated with cognitive performance at different domains.