Neurocardiology

Neurocardiology: The Emerging Field of Brain/Heart Interactions addresses important questions and directions for research that lie at the intersection of cardiovascular care and brain science. In addition, the book provides clinicians with guidance for the care of patients with neurological and cardiovascular disorders, including stroke, dementia, and the management of cardiac causes of these conditions. The past decade has witnessed dramatic changes in the overlapping space between cardiovascular care and brain health and science. Treatment of high blood pressure has been demonstrated to reduce cognitive impairment and dementia.

Subclinical cardiac disorders, including atrial fibrillation, atrial cardiopathy, and patent foramen ovale, are increasingly recognized as modifiable risk factors and causes of stroke; related treatments, such as left atrial exclusion and PFO closure, have become standard of care. Techniques developed originally in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction 30 or more years ago have now become evidence-based standard of care for patients with acute ischemic stroke.