[Thyroid dysfunction in long-term amiodarone administration. Correlation of the antiarrhythmic activity of amiodarone with its effect on thyroid function].

Relationship between amiodarone-associated thyroid dysfunction and antiarrhythmic activity of amiodarone was studied in 27 patients (13 with hypothyroidism, 8 with hyperthyroidism, 6 with euthyroid hyperthyroxinemia). Amiodarone-associated hypothyroidism and euthyroid hyperthyroxinemia were not associated with loss of antiarrhythmic efficacy of amiodarone. Hypothyroidism did not require amiodarone withdrawal and therapy with L-thyroxin was conducted at the background of continued amiodarone intake. Achievement of euthyroid state was not followed by recurrence of heart rhythm disturbances. Development of amiodarone-associated thyrotoxicosis was accompanied with loss of antiarrhythmic efficacy of amiodarone in all cases. In 87.5% of patients with thyrotoxicosis correction of the thyroid status was conducted under conditions of continued amiodarone intake as this drug had been given because of life threatening arrhythmias or proven resistance to other antiarrhythmic therapy. In 12.5% of patients it was possible to substitute other drugs for amiodarone. Correction of thyroid status and achievement of euthyroidosis in these patients was associated with restoration of amiodarone antiarrhythmic activity.

[Isoptin-Retard 240 mg in the treatment of mild and moderate arterial hypertension]. / Izoptin-retard 240 mg pri lechenii miagkoi i umerennoi arterial'noi gipertonii.

To elucidate a hypotensive effect of isoptin-retard in a dose 240 mg/day, 17 males with mild and moderate hypertension receiving the drug underwent 24-h monitoring by SpaceLabs 5300 and pressure loading. A significant lowering of both mean systolic and diastolic pressure was found both in daytime and at night. A hypotensive effect persisted for 2 months. No case of serious cardiovascular complications, of noticeable shifts in blood biochemistry was reported.

[The efficacy of combinations of anti-arrhythmia preparations in patients with the paroxysmal form of atrial fibrillation]. / Effektivnost' kombinatsii antiaritmicheskikh preparatov u bol'nykh s paroksizmal'noi formoi mertsatel'noi aritmii.

The efficacy of allapinin, ethacizine, ritmilen, kinilentin, obsidan and finoptin given alone and in different combinations was studied in 44 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation provoked by transesophageal pacing. The use of the combinations of the drugs belonging to the first group as well of those of the first group combined with the drugs belonging to the 2nd-4th group permitted one to significantly enhance the treatment efficacy, to reduce drug doses in a lot of patients and, therefore, to minimize the rate of side effects. The data obtained promoted the choosing of the therapy algorithm to prevent paroxysms of atrial fibrillation. While designing the algorithm, account was taken of the rate of paroxysms and of the initial sinus rhythm as was of the results of estimating the comparative efficacy of the drugs under study.

[Activities of plasma proteinases and their acid-stable urinary inhibitors in patients with arterial hypertension]. / Aktivnost' proteinaz v plazme krovi i kislotostabil'nykh ingibitorov v moche bol'nykh arterial'nymi gipertoniiami.

The data obtained allow to consider urine acid-stable proteinase inhibitor (ASPI) activity as an early and informative index of renal parenchyma damage in patients with renal symptomatic arterial hypertensions without significant urine changes. Urine ASPI activities seems to be useful in differentiation of patients with chronic glomerulonephritis without significant urine changes and patients with hypertensions.

[Clinical importance of determining the activity of an acid-stable proteinase inhibitor in the urine of arterial hypertension patients]. / Klinicheskoe znachenie opredeleniia aktivnosti kislotostabil'nogo ingibitora proteinaz v moche bol'nykh arterial'nymi gipertoniiami.

The determination of urine acid-stable proteinase inhibitor activity proved to be more informative at the early stages of renal tissue lesions, as compared to measurement of intermediate molecule blood level. It can be used as a diagnostic test in patients with parenchymatous renal diseases accompanied by blood pressure elevation, and essential hypertension.

[Methodology of plasmapheresis in the treatment of patients with hereditary hypercholesterolemia]. / Metodika plazmafereza v lechenii bol'nykh s nasledstvennoi giperkholesterinemiei.

The plasma replacement procedure using the blood cell separator IBM-2997 provides for safe replacement of 2000-3000 ml plasma and a 35 to 45% reduction of the lipid concentration. Plasma replacement with 5% albumin solution per 50 to 70% of total volume allows to maintain normal total plasma protein levels throughout treatment. It was demonstrated that plasmapheresis with plasma ultrafiltrate return makes the procedure more tolerable for the patients, while their own electrolytes, amino acids, vitamins and some enzymes are retained. The reported technique for the discontinuation of the procedure reduces the volume of residual blood in the separation channel, preventing anemia.