Carotid pulsatile energy fraction surpasses traditional hemodynamic markers in explaining cognitive impairment among hemodialysis patients.

ABSTRACT: Cognitive impairment is a frequent yet poorly understood complication of maintenance hemodialysis. We studied 162 thrice-weekly hemodialysis patients and 1858 community adults characterized previously with identical pressure-flow protocols. Group comparisons were conducted following propensity score matching and utilizing ANCOVA, adjusted for age, sex, educational attainment, body mass index, diabetes, and hypertension. On a mid-week non-dialysis day, synchronous applanation tonometry and Doppler ultrasound recorded ascending-aortic and common-carotid waveforms; mean hydraulic energy, pulsatile energy and the pulsatile energy fraction (PEF) were computed for each heartbeat. Global cognition was assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), with scores < 26 indicating impairment.

SUBMITTER: Wu CC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12823414 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature