Brief Answer:
I would explain as follow:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

Regarding your concern I would explain that aortic valve stenosis often have restricted cognitive capacity (dementia).

This is mainly explained with the inadequate blood supply in the brain due to a narrowed aortic valve.

From the other hand small strokes, related to a low cardiac function or cardiac arrythmia ( brain microembolism) can aggravate the situation, leading to vascular dementia.

What is the patient's age?

Before concluding that dementia is related to aortic stenosis, a careful differential diagnosis of other causes of dementia should be done (Alzheimer, vitamine deficincy, etc.).

I recommend consulting with a neurologist for a careful physical examination and some cognitive tests to determine the severity and type of dementia.
Some other tests may be necessary :

- a brain MRI
- blood lab tests (complete blood count, fasting glucose, blood electrolytes, vitamine B12 plasma levels, vitamine E plasma levels, thyroid hormone levels, kidney and liver function tests, etc.)

A lumbar puncture may be needed in case of a relatively young patient with dementia, to invetigate for other possible causes.

Regarding reversibility of dementia related to aortic stenosis, you should know that it is a gradual dementia and as such the changes to the brain are not reversible. Only a few causes of dementia can have some kind of reversibility.

Nevertheless treatment of aortic stenosis can stop the progression of dementia in patients with this disorder.

Pentoxifylline and, to a more limited extent, ergoloid mesylates (Hydergine), may be useful for increasing cerebral blood flow.

Cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil) are effective in treating and slowing the progression of dementia and especially vascular dementia.

Other drugs (antidepressant, anxiolytics,etc.) may be helpful in management of other symptoms of dementia like depression , anxiety, hallucinations, aggression, etc..

Unfortunately the possibility of complete recovery from dementia is almost zero, because this is a progressive degenerative disorder of the brain. It is impossible to substitute the lost brain cells, but there is a possibility of slowing the progression and improving every day mental performance.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Kind regards!

Dr.Iliri

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