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Cardiology190 papers

Multi-infarct dementia

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Multi-infarct dementia results from multiple small strokes caused by arteriosclerosis, leading to cognitive decline and functional impairment due to cumulative brain damage rather than continuous ischemia 17.

Diagnosis

  • Clinical history of recurrent strokes or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) 17.
  • Neurological examination revealing cognitive deficits, gait disturbances, or other focal deficits 17.
  • Neuroimaging (CT or MRI) showing multiple lacunar infarcts or white matter changes 17.
  • Exclusion of other causes of dementia through cognitive testing and laboratory investigations 17.
  • Management

  • Primary Prevention: Management of cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes 17.
  • Secondary Prevention: Antiplatelet therapy (e.g., aspirin) to reduce the risk of further strokes 17.
  • Supportive Care: Cognitive rehabilitation, occupational therapy, and management of behavioral symptoms 17.
  • Avoid Unproven Treatments: Use of cerebral vasodilators and metabolic "activators" lacks scientific basis 17.
  • Special Populations

  • Elderly: Increased prevalence and complexity of comorbidities; focus on comprehensive stroke prevention strategies 17.
  • Comorbidities: Management of coexisting cardiovascular diseases is crucial for preventing further infarcts 17.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Focus on prevention and management of stroke risk factors to mitigate further cerebral damage (Evidence: Strong 17).
  • Utilize antiplatelet agents for secondary prevention to reduce the incidence of recurrent strokes (Evidence: Strong 17).
  • Avoid treatments aimed at enhancing cerebral blood flow or metabolism without robust evidence (Evidence: Expert opinion 17).
  • References

    1 Russo FP, Murad SD, Pillai AA, Shingina A, Donahoe L, Mrzljak A et al.. Combined liver with other solid organ transplants: Promises, pitfalls and ethical dilemmas. Journal of hepatology 2025. link 2 Wang Y, Wang Y, Yang F, Chen J, Geng X, Sun Q et al.. Cytokine Storm Induction Linked to Multi-Organ Failure in Fatal Jellyfish Stings. Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) 2025. link 3 Engen RM, Lemoine CP. Evaluation and post-transplant management of children after multi-organ-with-kidney transplantation. Pediatric nephrology (Berlin, Germany) 2024. link 4 Osman AF, Prasad RM, Marein S, O'Brien C. Multi-organ dysfunction as a presentation of calcium channel blocker intoxication. BMJ case reports 2022. link 5 Kulenovic A, Lagumdzija-Kulenovic A. Using PM-TOM for the Minimization of Adverse Drug and Gene Interactions in Therapies for Common Multi-Diseases. Studies in health technology and informatics 2020. link 6 Pérez-Torras S, Mata-Ventosa A, Drögemöller B, Tarailo-Graovac M, Meijer J, Meinsma R et al.. Deficiency of perforin and hCNT1, a novel inborn error of pyrimidine metabolism, associated with a rapidly developing lethal phenotype due to multi-organ failure. Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular basis of disease 2019. link 7 Díaz Gómez C, López Amor L, García Prieto E, Escudero Augusto D. Magnesium poisoning, multi-organ failure and ischemic colitis secondary to chronic ingestion of a parapharmacy product. Revista espanola de enfermedades digestivas 2018. link 8 Hoffmann F, Allers K. Age and sex differences in hospitalisation of nursing home residents: a systematic review. BMJ open 2016. link 9 Cullis PS, Watson D, Cameron A, McKee RF. Dipyridamole and paracetamol overdose resulting in multi-organ failure. Scottish medical journal 2013. link 10 Mahmoodpoor A, Soleimanpour H, Hamishehkar H. Multi organ failure following intravenous gasoline for suicide: a case report. Acta medica Iranica 2012. link 11 Gould A, Ho KM, Dobb G. Risk factors and outcomes of high-dependency patients requiring intensive care unit admission: a nested case-control study. Anaesthesia and intensive care 2010. link 12 Mao Q, Li YS, Li JS. The current status of multivisceral transplantation. Hepatobiliary & pancreatic diseases international : HBPD INT 2009. link 13 Wudel LJ, Allos TM, Washington MK, Sheller JR, Chapman WC. Multi-organ inflammation after hepatic cryoablation in BALB/c mice. The Journal of surgical research 2003. link00088-x) 14 Chapel A, Bertho JM, Bensidhoum M, Fouillard L, Young RG, Frick J et al.. Mesenchymal stem cells home to injured tissues when co-infused with hematopoietic cells to treat a radiation-induced multi-organ failure syndrome. The journal of gene medicine 2003. link 15 Gnarpe J, Gnarpe H, Nissen K, Haldar K, Nääs J. Chlamydia pneumoniae infection associated with multi-organ failure and fatal outcome in a previously healthy patient. Scandinavian journal of infectious diseases 1998. link 16 Valenzuela P, Paris E, Oberpauer B, Rios JC, Concha F. Overdose of colchicine in a three-year-old child. Veterinary and human toxicology 1995. link 17 Hachinski V. Multi-infarct dementia. Neurologic clinics 1983. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Combined liver with other solid organ transplants: Promises, pitfalls and ethical dilemmas.Russo FP, Murad SD, Pillai AA, Shingina A, Donahoe L, Mrzljak A et al. Journal of hepatology (2025)
    2. [2]
      Cytokine Storm Induction Linked to Multi-Organ Failure in Fatal Jellyfish Stings.Wang Y, Wang Y, Yang F, Chen J, Geng X, Sun Q et al. Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) (2025)
    3. [3]
      Evaluation and post-transplant management of children after multi-organ-with-kidney transplantation.Engen RM, Lemoine CP Pediatric nephrology (Berlin, Germany) (2024)
    4. [4]
      Multi-organ dysfunction as a presentation of calcium channel blocker intoxication.Osman AF, Prasad RM, Marein S, O'Brien C BMJ case reports (2022)
    5. [5]
      Using PM-TOM for the Minimization of Adverse Drug and Gene Interactions in Therapies for Common Multi-Diseases.Kulenovic A, Lagumdzija-Kulenovic A Studies in health technology and informatics (2020)
    6. [6]
      Deficiency of perforin and hCNT1, a novel inborn error of pyrimidine metabolism, associated with a rapidly developing lethal phenotype due to multi-organ failure.Pérez-Torras S, Mata-Ventosa A, Drögemöller B, Tarailo-Graovac M, Meijer J, Meinsma R et al. Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular basis of disease (2019)
    7. [7]
      Magnesium poisoning, multi-organ failure and ischemic colitis secondary to chronic ingestion of a parapharmacy product.Díaz Gómez C, López Amor L, García Prieto E, Escudero Augusto D Revista espanola de enfermedades digestivas (2018)
    8. [8]
    9. [9]
      Dipyridamole and paracetamol overdose resulting in multi-organ failure.Cullis PS, Watson D, Cameron A, McKee RF Scottish medical journal (2013)
    10. [10]
      Multi organ failure following intravenous gasoline for suicide: a case report.Mahmoodpoor A, Soleimanpour H, Hamishehkar H Acta medica Iranica (2012)
    11. [11]
    12. [12]
      The current status of multivisceral transplantation.Mao Q, Li YS, Li JS Hepatobiliary & pancreatic diseases international : HBPD INT (2009)
    13. [13]
      Multi-organ inflammation after hepatic cryoablation in BALB/c mice.Wudel LJ, Allos TM, Washington MK, Sheller JR, Chapman WC The Journal of surgical research (2003)
    14. [14]
      Mesenchymal stem cells home to injured tissues when co-infused with hematopoietic cells to treat a radiation-induced multi-organ failure syndrome.Chapel A, Bertho JM, Bensidhoum M, Fouillard L, Young RG, Frick J et al. The journal of gene medicine (2003)
    15. [15]
      Chlamydia pneumoniae infection associated with multi-organ failure and fatal outcome in a previously healthy patient.Gnarpe J, Gnarpe H, Nissen K, Haldar K, Nääs J Scandinavian journal of infectious diseases (1998)
    16. [16]
      Overdose of colchicine in a three-year-old child.Valenzuela P, Paris E, Oberpauer B, Rios JC, Concha F Veterinary and human toxicology (1995)
    17. [17]
      Multi-infarct dementia.Hachinski V Neurologic clinics (1983)

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