Interventional revascularization improves cognitive impairment in patients with subtotal carotid artery occlusion and mild stroke

Abstract

Objective To study the characteristics of cognitive impairment in patients with subtotal internal carotid artery occlusion accompanied by mild stroke, and to clarify the effect of interventional carotid revascularization on cognitive impairment in these patients. Methods Inpatients from February 2016 to February 2019 were included. Carotid artery revascularization was performed in patients with subtotal carotid artery occlusion and mild stroke during hospitalization. All the patients were examined by MMSE and MoCA before and 3 months after operation. Results A total of 33 patients were enrolled. All patients underwent successful interventional carotid revascularization during hospitalization. Preoperative MoCA scores showed a decline in cognitive function in 33 patients (mean 19.58±1.54) , while MMSE scores did not show a decline in cognitive function in these patients (mean 26.88±0.74) . The scores of MMSE and MoCA in 33 patients with carotid revascularization after interventional therapy in 3 months were higher than those before operation, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). Conclusion MoCA score is more sensitive in assessing cognitive impairment in patients with subtotal internal carotid artery occlusion and mild stroke, and can detect early cognitive impairment.Interventional revascularization can improve cognitive impairment in patients with subtotal internal carotid artery occlusion and mild stroke. Key words: Mild stroke; Subtotal carotid artery occlusion; Interventional revascularization; Cognitive impairment