[Russian eligibility criteria prescribing menopausal hormonal hormones therapy for patients with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Consensus document of the Russian Cardiological Society, Russian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Russian Association of Endocrinologists, Eurasian Association of Therapists, Association of Phlebologists of Russia].

Menopausal symptoms can disrupt the life course of women at the peak of their career and family life. Currently, the most effective treatment for these manifestations is menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). The presence of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in itself does not exclude the possibility of prescribing MHT to relieve menopausal symptoms and improve quality of life. However, often an obstacle to the use of this type of hormonal therapy is the fear of doctors who are afraid of doing more harm to patients than good. Caution is especially important when it comes to women with underlying health conditions. Moreover, it should be recognized that there is a lack of high-quality research regarding the safety of MHT for major chronic non-infectious diseases and common comorbid conditions. The presented consensus document analyzed all currently available data obtained from clinical trials of various designs and created a set of criteria for the acceptability of prescribing MHT to women with concomitant cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Based on the presented document, doctors of various specialties who advise women in menopause will receive an accessible algorithm that will allow them to avoid potentially dangerous situations and reasonably prescribe MHT in real practice.

[Russian Eligibility Criteria for Prescribing Menopausal Hormone Therapy to Patients With Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases. Consensus Document of RSC, RSOG, RAE, EUAT, RAP].

Menopausal symptoms can impair the life of women at the peak of their career and family life. At the present time, the most effective treatment for these manifestations is menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). The presence of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in itself does not exclude the possibility of prescribing MHT to relieve menopausal symptoms and improve quality of life. However, often an obstacle to the use of this type of hormone therapy is the fear of physicians to do more harm to patients than good. Caution is especially important when it comes to women with concurrent diseases. Moreover, it should be recognized that there is a shortage of high-quality research on the safety of MHT for underlying chronic non-infectious diseases and common comorbidities. The presented consensus analyzed all currently available data from clinical trials of various designs and created a set of criteria for the appropriateness of prescribing MHT to women with concomitant cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Based on the presented document, physicians of various specialties who advise menopausal women will receive an accessible algorithm that will allow them to avoid potentially dangerous situations and reasonably prescribe MHT in real-life practice.

[Prospects for use of Vericiguat in HFrEF: Implications of VICTORIA Trial Results. Advisory Board Summary].

In September 2021, an online meeting of the Council of Experts was held. The proposed focus of discussion was publishing the results of an international prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study VICTORIA. The objective of the VICTORIA study was evaluation of the efficacy and safety of supplementing a standard therapy with vericiguat at a target dose of 10 mg twice a day as compared to placebo for prevention of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure (HF) in patients with clinical manifestations of chronic HF and left ventricular ejection fraction <45% who have recently had an episode of decompensated HF. The aim of the meeting was interpretation of the VICTORIA study results on efficacy and safety of vericiguat for a potential use in a Russian population of patients after a recent episode of decompensated chronic HF with reduced ejection fraction.

[Cardiovascular effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: position of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in Russian and international guidelines. Council of Experts].

This Expert Council focuses on the meta-analysis of studies on the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients taking omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and of data on the omega-3 PUFA treatment in patients with cardiovascular and kidney diseases.The major statements of the Expert Council: the meta-analysis of AF risk in patients taking omega-3 PUFA showed an increased risk of this arrhythmia. However, it should be taken into account that the risk of complications was low, and there was no significant increase in the risk of AF when omega-3 PUFA was used at a dose of ≤1 g and a standard dose of the only omega-3 PUFA drug registered in the Russian Federation, considering all AF episodes in the ASCEND study.At the present time, according to Russian and international clinical guidelines, the use of omega-3 PUFA can be considered in the following cases: • for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction as a supplement to the basic therapy (2B class of recommendations according to the 2020 Russian Society of Cardiology guidelines (RSC) and the 2022 AHA / ACC / HFSA guidelines); • for patients with hypertriglyceridemia (>1.5 mmol/l) as a part of combination therapy (IIb class of recommendations and B level of evidence according to the 2021 European guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention, etc.); • for adult patients with stage 3-4 chronic kidney disease (CKD), long-chain omega-3 PUFA 2 g/day is recommended for reducing the level of triglycerides (2C class of recommendations). Data on the use of omega-3 PUFA for other indications are heterogenous, which can be partially explained by using different form and doses of the drugs.

[The impact of carbohydrate metabolism disorders on the early and long-term clinical outcomes of patients with COVID-19 according to the AKTIV and AKTIV 2 registries].

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies indicate a high incidence of various disorders of carbohydrate metabolism against the new coronavirus infection. These disorders aggravate the course of infection and increase mortality. Thereby, analysis of risk factors for unfavorable outcomes and assessment of the long-term consequences of COVID-19 in patients with impaired carbohydrate metabolism is of great importance. AIM: To investigate the association between carbohydrate metabolism disorders in COVID-19 patients and mortality, course of infection, long-term consequences, as well as to identify risk factors for an unfavorable disease course. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of data from the combined multicenter non-interventional real-world AKTIV and AKTIV 2 registries was performed. The sample included 9290 patients who had COVID-19 with varying severity from June 29, 2020, to November 29, 2020 (AKTIV) and from October 01, 2020, to March 30, 2021 (AKTIV 2). The patients were divided into 3 groups: Group 1 - patients with intact carbohydrate metabolism, n=6606; Group 2 - patients with newly diagnosed hyperglycemia (NDH), n=1073; Group 3 - patients with a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), n=1611. The groups were assessed for clinical and laboratory parameters, comorbidities, mortality, carbohydrate metabolic status, and well-being during the infection and at 12 months. RESULTS: The prevalence of carbohydrate metabolism disorders (CMD) was 28,9%, with DM2 patients accounting for 17,3% and patients with newly diagnosed hyperglycemia (NDH) for 11,6%. The mortality rate of patients with hyperglycemia of any origin was 10.6%, which was significantly higher compared to patients without hyperglycemia (3,9%). The probability of lethal outcome increased 2,48-fold in the group of patients with DM2 and 2,04-fold in the group of patients with NDH. At the same time, the probability of a lethal outcome decreased 2,94-fold in patients without CMD. At 12 months, patients with CMD showed a significantly higher frequency and longer persistence of complaints. This trend was more pronounced in patients with DM2 than in those with NDH. Only 1,7% of patients from the NDH group had type 2 diabetes and were receiving oral hypoglycemic medications one year after the infection. A prognostic model was developed to determine the risk of lethal outcome. The model included such known predictors as concomitant ischemic heart disease, history of myocardial infarction or stroke, blood glucose level, and age. CONCLUSION: Carbohydrate metabolism disorders aggravate the course of COVID-19 and increase mortality. One year after infection, patients with DM2 and NDH were more likely to have symptoms typical for post-COVID syndrome, and NDH resolved in most cases after the infection.

[ACTIV SARS-CoV-2 registry (Analysis of Chronic Non-infectious Diseases Dynamics After COVID-19 Infection in Adult Patients). Assessment of impact of combined original comorbid diseases in patients with COVID-19 on the prognosis].

AIM: Study the impact of various combinations of comorbid original diseases in patients infected with COVID-19 later on the disease progression and outcomes of the new coronavirus infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ACTIV registry was created on the Eurasian Association of Therapists initiative. 5,808 patients have been included in the registry: men and women with COVID-19 treated at hospital or at home. CLINICALTRIALS: gov ID NCT04492384. RESULTS: Most patients with COVID-19 have original comorbid diseases (oCDs). Polymorbidity assessed by way of simple counting of oCDs is an independent factor in negative outcomes of COVID-19. Search for most frequent combinations of 2, 3 and 4 oCDs has revealed absolute domination of cardiovascular diseases (all possible variants). The most unfavorable combination of 2 oCDs includes atrial hypertension (AH) and chronic heart failure (CHF). The most unfavorable combination of 3 oCDs includes AH, coronary heart disease (CHD) and CHF; the worst combination of 4 oCDs includes AH, CHD, CHF and diabetes mellitus. Such combinations increased the risk of lethal outcomes 3.963, 4.082 and 4.215 times respectively. CONCLUSION: Polymorbidity determined by way of simple counting of diseases may be estimated as a factor in the lethal outcome risk in the acute phase of COVID-19 in real practice. Most frequent combinations of 2, 3 and 4 diseases in patients with COVID-19 primarily include cardiovascular diseases (AH, CHD and CHF), diabetes mellitus and obesity. Combinations of such diseases increase the COVID-19 lethal outcome risk.

[COMPASS study results as a foundation for new treatment approach for neurological patients. Opinion of the expert council of december 18, 2021]. / Znachenie rezul'tatov issledovaniya COMPASS v izmenenii podkhodov k lecheniyu patsientov nevrologicheskogo profilya. Zaklyuchenie soveta ekspertov ot 18 dekabrya 2021 g.

The resolution of the Council of Experts devoted to the discussion of the effectiveness of the use of a combination of rivaroxaban 2.5 mg 2 times a day and acetylsalicylic acid 100 mg per day to prevent recurrent non-coronary ischemic stroke results of the COMPASS study is presented. The advantages of this combination and the safety of its use are considered. Recommendations for the implementation of the results of the study in clinical practice are given.

Selection of the optimal respiratory muscle training mode in patients with class II-III chronic heart failure.

Aim To study the effect of various types of respiratory muscle training (RMT) in patients with functional class (FC) II-III chronic heart failure (CHF) and more than 70% preserved diaphragm muscle mass.Material and methods 53 patients (28 men and 25 women) aged 50-75 years with NYHA FC II-III ischemic heart disease (IHD) and arterial hypertension with more than 70% preserved diaphragm muscle mass of >70% were randomized to one of four RMT types: static loads, dynamic loads, their combination, and breathing without applied resistance as a control. Peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak) and maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) were evaluated at baseline and in 6 months.Results All study groups showed significant improvement of physical endurance indexes compared to baseline values (р<0.05). In pairwise comparison, the groups significantly differed (р<0.01). The greatest improvement was observed for patients of dynamic and combined training groups. Furthermore, in the combined training group, results were significantly higher than in the group of isolated dynamic loads. The most significant (р <0.01), positive changes in the force of inspiratory muscles were observed in groups of dynamic and combined trainings with the best results displayed by patients of the combined training group.Conclusion With preserving more than 70 % of diaphragm muscle tissue (as determined by MIP >60 cm H2O), a combination of static and dynamic RMT is most effective for patients with FC II-III CHF.

[International register "Analysis of Chronic Non-infectious Diseases Dynamics After COVID-19 Infection in Adult Patients (ACTIV SARS-CoV-2)"].

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[Empagliflozin and heart failure: position paper of the experts on the results of the online meeting and discussion of the EMPEROR-Preserved Trial].

At an international online expert meeting held on September 16, 2021, the results of the empagliflozin research program EMPA-REG Outcome, EMPEROR-Reduced and EMPEROR-Preserved were reviewed. We analyzed cardiovascular and renal outcomes during the treatment with empagliflozin in patients with chronic heart failure, regardless of the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The positive results of the EMPEROR-Preserved study are updated and their significance for clinical practice is discussed. Several proposals have been adopted that will accelerate the introduction of empagliflozin therapy into practice in patients with heart failure and overcome clinical inertia.

[Use of Statins, Anticoagulants, Antiaggregants and Antiarrhythmic Drugs in Patients With COVID-19. The Agreed Experts' Position of Russian Society of Cardiology, Eurasian Association of Therapists, National Society on Atherothrombosis, Societies of Experts in Urgent Cardiology, Eurasian Arrhythmology Association].

This article discusses relevant aspects in the treatment of patients with COVID-19. Up-to-date information about principles for administration of statins, antithrombotics, and antiarrhythmics is presented. The authors addressed in detail specific features of reversing heart rhythm disorders in patients with coronavirus infection and the interaction of antiarrhythmic and antiviral drugs. Recommendations are provided for outpatient and inpatient antithrombotic therapy for patients with COVID-19. Issues of antithrombotic and antiviral drug interaction are discussed.

[The Agreed Experts' Position of the Eurasian Association of Therapists on Some new Mechanisms of COVID-19 Pathways: Focus on Hemostasis, Hemotransfusion Issues and Blood gas Exchange].

The article discusses pathogenesis and treatment of COVID-19. The authors presented state-of-the-art insight into hemostatic disorders in patients with COVID-19 and clinical recommendations on prevention of thrombosis and thromboembolism in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. The article discussed in detail a new hypothesis proposed by Chinese physicians about a new component in the pathogenesis of COVID-19, namely, about the effect of SARS-CoV-2 virus on the hemoglobin beta-chain and the formation of a complex with porphyrin, which results in displacement of the iron ion. Thus, hemoglobin loses the capability for transporting oxygen, which aggravates hypoxia and worsens the prognosis. The article stated rules of hemotransfusion safety in the conditions of COVID-19 pandemic.

[Risk Assessment of Development of the Major Adverse Cardiac Events in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure with a Preserved and Intermediate Ejection Fraction in the Presence of a Bendopnea Symptom].

Aim To evaluate the risk of major cardiovascular complications (CVC) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) with intermediate and preserved ejection fraction (EF) depending on the presence of bendopnea symptom.Material and methods The study included 104 patients with stage II CHF and left ventricular EF ≥40 %. Mean age of the patients was 72.8±10.6 years. A test for detection of bendopnea symptom was performed for all patients. Two groups were formed: group 1, 69 patients with the bendopnea symptom and group 2, 35 patients with a negative test. Follow-up duration was 24 months. The composite endpoint (CEP) was death and hospitalization for any CVC.Results Mean time to the bendopnea symptom was 17.3±6.61 s. At two years of follow-up, the CEP was observed in 36 (34.6 %) patients, including 30 (43.5 %) patients in group 1 and 6 (17.1 %) patients in group 2. 12 patients died, and 9 of them had the bendopnea symptom. 21 patients of group 1 were hospitalized for CVC. Risk of CEP was significantly 1.7 times higher for men (relative risk, RR 1.7 [1.1; 2.6]) than for women. The presence of bendopnea symptom increased the risk of CEP 1.4 times (ОР 1.4 [1.1;1.9]) for women and 2.3 times (RR 2.3 [1.4; 3.6]) for men.Conclusion Results of the study demonstrated an unfavorable effect of bendopnea symptom on risk of CEP during the two-year follow-up of CHF patients with preserved and intermediate EF.

[Quality of life in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and the bendopnea symptom].

PURPOSE: The study of quality of life (QOL) in patients with CHF with preserved LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction) and a symptom of bendopnea with different levels of salt intake. Materials and methods. The study included 66 patients. The main symptoms of CHF were edema in 54.5% of cases, dyspnea in 77% of cases, ascites was detected in only 2 patients, an enlarged liver in 7 patients. Abdominal obesity was detected in 53 patients. Quality of life was assessed by the SF­36 questionnaire, the level of salt intake was assessed by the Charlton: SaltScreener questionnaire. Results. On average, the time of occurrence of the bendopnea was 22.5±9.3 seconds, the minimum was 5 seconds. The absence of the effect of abdominal obesity on the risk of bendopnea (relative risk 1.18 [0.76; 1.83]) was revealed. According to the SF­36 questionnaire, a decrease in physical health indicators (median 31.3 points [20.7; 42.3]) and psychological health (average score 43.2±21.7) was found. In patients with bendopnea, QOL was reduced due to both physical and mental health, unlike patients without bendopnea: physical functioning (Physical Functioning - PF) 24.8±16.1 against 47±28.9 points, p=0.001 ; role­based functioning due to physical condition (Role­Physical Functioning - RP), 0 [0; 25] vs. 37.5 [0; 100] points, p=0.008; general health (General Health - GH) 29.9±15.8 against 50±14.2 points, p=0.0005, social functioning (Social Functioning - SF) 56 ± 38 against 78.9 ± 17.8 points ; p = 0.004. Multidimensional regression analysis revealed the relationship between the time of occurrence of the symptom bendopnea and the level of salt intake, physical and psychological activity (r2=0.25; p<0.009). The time of onset of the symptom of bendopnea in patients with CHF decompensation was significantly longer (18.9±8.7 vs. 26.2±8.5 seconds, p=0.003). The presence of diseases such as hypertension, COPD, IHD, atrial fibrillation, cerebrovascular disease did not significantly affect QOL (p> 0.05), while the presence of bronchial asthma or chronic kidney disease significantly reduced QOL of patients (p<0.05). Conclusion. The presence of the symptom bendopnea significantly reduces the quality of life of patients with CHF with preserved LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction).

Morphofunctional Features of The Diaphragm in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure.

AIM: to study changes in the volumes of muscle, fat, and connective tissue in postmortem issue samples (autoptates) from diaphragm, right ventricle, lower limb (gastrocnemius muscle), as well as morphological changes of the diaphragm muscular structure in patients with different functional classes of heart failure (HF), and to compare them with some intravital parameters of external respiration (with maximal inspiratory pressure and its amplitude simultaneously measured by ultrasound method in particular). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Autoptates of the diaphragm muscle, right ventricle, lower limb (n=39) from 20 men and 19 women (with in vivo diagnosis CHF NYHA functional class (FC) I-IV, hypertension, ischemic heart disease) were examined within 24 hours after the fatal outcome. Light optical microscopy was used to assess the percentages of muscle, connective, adipose tissue, numbers of fibroblasts, and collagen fibers. Spirometric measurements, measurement of respiratory muscles strength, and examination of the diaphragm contractile function were performed by echolocation 56.7±11.9 days before death. RESULTS: In patients of all NYHA FCs most pronounced changes of volume of muscle tissue were observed in the right ventricle and diaphragm, while less pronounced - in the gastrocnemius muscle. The increase in the volume of adipose tissue in patients with I-III FC CHF was most pronounced in the right ventricle and diaphragm, and less pronounced - in the gastrocnemius muscle. The greatest increase in the adipose tissue volume was recorded in the diaphragm of patients with IV FC. Changes of connective tissue volume did not follow linear dependence. The largest "leap-like" increase in the volume of connective tissue occurred in the diaphragm of patients with III FC, what significantly outstripped this process in peripheral muscles and right ventricular myocardium. There was stable relationship between structure of tissue of the diaphragm, maximal inspiratory thickness of diaphragmatic muscle, and maximal inspiratory pressure. This relation (correlation) was positive for pairs muscle tissue volume - muscle thickness and muscle tissue volume - inspiratory pressure, and negative for pairs connective tissue volume - muscle thickness, connective tissue volume - inspiratory pressure, adipose tissue volume - inspiratory pressure (r>0.85, p<0.01 for all these correlations). CONCLUSION: Morphofunctional changes in the diaphragm are caused by progressive decrease in the content of muscle tissue, increases of volumes of adipose and connective tissues. These changes correlate with the CHF FC, maximal inspiratory thickness of diaphragmatic muscle, and maximal inspiratory pressure. Severity of these morphological changes is maximal in patients with FC III CHF.

[Significance of adipose tissue mass for the clinical course of pneumonia associated with decompensated CHF].

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is one of most important causes of in-hospital mortality in patients with decompensated chronic heart failure (CHF). AIM: To evaluate the effect of adipose tissue mass and body weight index (BWI) on prognosis for patients with communityacquired pneumonia and decompensated CHF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 286 patients aged 53-90 with BWI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2 who were hospitalized in cardiology and therapy departments of an emergency care hospital for decompensated CHF and pneumonia, which was verified within the first day of admission. Body composition was analyzed using a bioimpedance analyzer of body water sectors (ABC-01, Medass); BWI was calculated for all patients. Sputum samples collected with proper observation of sterility rules were analyzed in a specialized microbiological laboratory. Statistical analysis was performed with methods of binary logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier, Cox regression, and two-step cluster analysis using the IBM SPSS Statistics 20 software. RESULTS: Assessing the body composition showed that groups with sputum Str. Pneumonia and mixed infection differed in indexes of lean body mass and adipose tissue mass but not in BWI. In-the mixed group, the in-hospital mortality was 38.71% and the one-year mortality - 95.16%. In the group with Str. Pneumonia in the sputum culture, the in-hospital mortality was 18.52% and the one-year mortality - 42.59%. The two-step cluster analysis allowed to isolate two clusters in the structure of the studied totality. All patients of the first cluster died during the first 9 months of the year following hospitalization. They were distinguished by lower values of lean body mass and BWI, older age, and the presence of mixed infection in the sputum culture in 39.1% of cases. CONCLUSION: In the structure of the studied totality, the most important risk factor for in-hospital mortality and one-year death was the value of adipose tissue mass.

Features of diagnostics and treatment of chronic heart failure in elderly and senile patients. Expert opinion of the Society of Experts in Heart Failure, Russian Association of Gerontologists, and Euroasian Association of Therapists.

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[Prognostic role of body composition in patients with pneumonia associated with decompensated CHF].

AIM: To evaluate the effect of body composition on prediction of community-acquired pneumonia caused by Str. pneumoniae in patients with decompensated CHF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 216 patients. The pneumonia agent was identified by sputum culture. Body composition with determining lean body mass and fat mass was evaluated using a bio-impedance analysis; body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Patients with BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2 were included into the study. Statistical analysis of obtained data was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics 20 software. RESULTS: The in-hospital mortality was 13.4 %; the one-year mortality was 29.6 %. Fat mass strongly, negatively correlated with a fatal outcome within a year, and the degree of lean body mass shortage moderately, positively correlated with the life span of patients. CONCLUSION: Body composition is significantly predictive for patients with decompensated CHF and community-acquired pneumonia caused by Str. pneumoniae.

[Correlations of IL-18 and IL-6 with sodium consumption in patients with arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus].

AIM: To determine correlations of AH-associated interleukins (IL-18, IL-6) with sodium consumption in AH patients with and without DM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included AH patients with and without DM (n=63) who were managed at the Municipal Clinic #64, Moscow Department of Health Care, Branch 1. Plasma levels of IL-6 and IL-18 were measured using ELISA kits (Bender Med-Systems). Salt consumption was determined using a Charlton: SaltScreener questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistica 10.0 software. RESULTS: Four groups were formed: Group 1, grade 2 AH and DM (n=19); Group 2, grade 2 AH and no DM (n=4); Group 3, grade 3 AH and no DM (n=28); and Group 4, grade 3 AH and DM (n=12). Group 2 was small and was excluded from further analysis due to impossibility of statistical treatment. All patients consumed more than 6 g of salt per day (approximately 10 g). Analysis of intergroup differences in selected parameters showed differences between groups in levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and GFR. The following correlations were identified in the groups: Group 1, positive correlation of IL-18 with sodium consumption (r=0.65) and CRP level (r=0.52) and of IL-6 with LDL level (r=0.48); Group 3, positive correlation of IL-18 with IL-6 (r=0.66) and of IL-6 with CRP (r=0.52); Group 4, positive correlation of IL-18 with GFR (r=0.82) and of IL-6 with waist circumference (WC) (r=0.84) and IL-6 (r=0.73). CONCLUSION: Patients consuming more than 6 g of salt daily (approximately 10 g) with AH and DM had more pronounced inflammation, which promoted progression of kidney disease.