[OP.3C.03] ARTERIAL STIFFNESS IS ASSOCIATED WITH LOWER PERFORMANCE ON THE COGNITIVE TESTS AT DIFFERENT DOMAINS IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS.

OBJECTIVE: 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.

DESIGN AND METHOD: We evaluated 162 subjects, 42 normotensives (44.7 ± 11 yrs, 69% male, 88% white) and 120 patients with stage 1-3 AH (51 ± 11 yrs, 46% male, 69% white) under treatment. The global cognitive function was assessed by Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). was done A validated comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests assessed the following main cognitive areas:memory, language, visuoperceptual and visuospatial, praxia, gnosia, executive function, attention, judgment. 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 (121.9 ± 7/76.1 ± 7 mmHg) was significantly lower than hypertensive patients (141.4 ± 23/87.2 ± 13 mmHg). Hypertensive group had worse performance in cognitive evaluation either by MMSE (27 ± 2 vs. 28.6 ± 1,p < 0.05) or MoCA test (23.8 ± 3 vs. 26.7 ± 2, p < 0.05). 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: PWV-memory, executive function and attention parameters; IMT-memory and executive function; AIx-all neuropsychological domains except memory.

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.