Apolipoprotein E-ε4 polymorphism and cognitive dysfunction after carotid endarterectomy

Abstract

Approximately 25% of patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) exhibit cognitive dysfunction (CD) 1day and 1month after CEA. The apolipoprotein E (apoE)-ε4 polymorphism has been previously identified as a robust independent risk factor for CD 1month after CEA. We aimed to determine whether the apoE-ε4 polymorphism is also an independent risk factor for CD as early as 1day after CEA and to confirm the previous findings at 1month. Patients undergoing elective CEA (n=411) were enrolled with written informed consent in this follow-up observational study. CD was evaluated via an extensive neuropsychometric battery. apoE-ε4 carriers exhibited significantly more CD 1day (30.1% versus 17.9%, p=0.01) and 1month (25.7% versus 9.8%, p=0.001) after CEA compared to non-carriers. Multivariate regression models were generated to determine independent predictors of CD. At 1day, apoE-ε4 was significantly associated with higher risk of CD (odds ratio [OR]: 2.24 [95% confidence interval 1.29–3.84], p=0.004), while statin use was significantly associated with lower risk (OR: 0.40 [0.24–0.67], p<0.001). At 1month, apoE-ε4 was significantly associated with higher risk of CD (OR: 3.14 [1.53–6.38], p=0.002), while symptomatic status was significantly associated with lower risk (OR: 0.45 [0.20–0.94], p=0.03). The apoE-ε4 polymorphism is an independent risk factor for CD as early as 1day after CEA and is confirmed to be an independent risk factor for CD at 1month as well.