The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and echocardiography with tissue Doppler analysis were performed in 81 patients with various cardiovascular diseases and preserved LV ejection fraction (EF > 40 % ). Among them, 13 patients exhibited CI (MMSE score < 24) and the remaining 68 did not (MMSE score ≥ 24). Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels were elevated in those with CI, compared with those without (CI: 137 ± 142 pg/ml vs. no CI: 60 ± 49 pg/ml, p < 0.007). The ratio of early diastolic mitral inflow velocity to early mitral annular myocardial velocity by tissue Doppler was elevated in those with CI, compared with those without (CI: 6.1 ± 1.3 vs. no CI: 4.6 ± 1.3, p < 0.0003). The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was also higher in those with CI (CI: 46 % vs. no CI: 18 % , p < 0.025).
The occurrence of cognitive impairment increased with the prevalence of diabetes in elderly patients with cardiovascular diseases and deteriorated LV diastolic dysfunction.