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Neurocognitive functioning in young adults with congenital heart disease: insights from a case-control study

Part of: Basic Science

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 July 2021

Ladina Schlosser Open the ORCID record for Ladina Schlosser [Opens in a new window] ,
Nora Kessler ,
Maria Feldmann ,
Flavia Wehrle ,
Sarah Rometsch ,
Matthias Greutmann ,
Angela Oxenius ,
Peter Brugger  and
Beatrice Latal Open the ORCID record for Beatrice Latal [Opens in a new window]
Ladina Schlosser
Affiliation:
Neuropsychology Unit, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland Child Development Centre, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Nora Kessler
Affiliation:
Child Development Centre, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Maria Feldmann
Affiliation:
Child Development Centre, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Flavia Wehrle
Affiliation:
Child Development Centre, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Sarah Rometsch
Affiliation:
Neuropsychology Unit, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland Child Development Centre, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Matthias Greutmann
Affiliation:
Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Angela Oxenius
Affiliation:
Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Peter Brugger
Affiliation:
Psychiatric University Clinic PUK, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland Neuropsychology Unit, Valens Rehabilitation Centre, Valens, Switzerland
Beatrice Latal*
Affiliation:
Child Development Centre, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Beatrice Latal, MD, MPH, Child Development Center, University Children’s Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland. Tel: +41 44 266 79 24. E-mail: bea.latal@kispi.uzh.ch
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Abstract

Background:

While there is evidence that cognitive impairment of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) may persist into adolescence, little is known about the spectrum of neurocognitive functioning of young adults with this disorder. The aim of this study was to assess neurocognitive functioning in a population of young adults with different types of CHD.

Methods:

Cross-sectional cohort study in young adults with CHD and a group-matched healthy control group. We assessed neurocognitive and general intellectual functioning with a comprehensive battery of standardised neuropsychological tests. In addition to task-based assessments, questionnaire data of executive dysfunctions in everyday life were measured with the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function – Adult Version.

Results:

A total of 67 patients (55% men) with CHD and 55 healthy controls (51% men) were included for analysis. Mean age at assessment was 26.9 (3.68) and 26.0 (3.32) years, respectively. The CHD group performed poorer in the domains of Executive Functions, Memory, Attention & Speed, and general intellectual functioning. Patients with a CHD of severe complexity were more affected than patients with simple or moderate complexity. Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function – Adult Version scores indicated that patients’ self-rated deficits in behaviour regulation in everyday life was higher compared with healthy controls.

Conclusion:

Our findings indicate lower neurocognitive functioning in young adults with a CHD, particularly in those with severe defect complexity. In view of the potentially enhanced risk for cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative disease in this patient group as reported in the literature, systematic longitudinal monitoring of cognitive functioning is recommended.

Keywords

Congenital heart diseaseCHDneurocognitive functioningneuropsychologyyoung adults
Type
Original Article
Information
Cardiology in the Young , Volume 32 , Issue 5 , May 2022 , pp. 694 - 701
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

*

Peter Brugger and Beatrice Latal are both authors contributed equally.

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