[Predictors of thromboembolic complications in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection].

AIM: To identify predictors of the development of thromboembolic complications (TECs) in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center observational retrospective study included 1634 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection. The patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the availability of the feasibility study. The criterion for inclusion of patients in the main group was the presence of venous feasibility studies in 127 patients (group I), the comparison group consisted of 1507 patients in whom the course of COVID-19 was not complicated by the development of feasibility studies (group II). RESULTS: When performing computed tomography of the chest organs, it was revealed that patients with a feasibility study had a higher percentage of lung tissue damage than patients in the comparison group: 55% [37.5; 67.5] and 37.5% [25.0; 47.5], respectively (p<0.001). The average values of C-reactive protein in I patients group were 129 [60.1; 211] ng/l, which was significantly higher than in II patients group - 41.0 [12.2; 97.6] ng/l (p<0.001), interleukin-6 - 176 [52.9; 471] pg/ml and 39.4 [11.0; 107] pg/ml (p<0.001), respectively. A one-factor regression analysis proved a significant contribution of comorbid pathology to the development of feasibility studies in patients with COVID-19. The presence of three nosologies at the same time: arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease (CHD) and chronic kidney disease increased the probability of a feasibility study by 4.81 times (odds ratio 4.8117, 95% confidence interval 3.2064-7.2207), in patients with arterial hypertension, CHD, chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes - by 5.63 times (odds ratio 5.6321, 95% confidence interval 3.1870-9.9531). CONCLUSION: The presence of severe comorbid pathology significantly increased the risk of developing a feasibility study in patients with COVID-19. The most significant predictors of the development of feasibility studies in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection. They are: CHD, arterial hypertension and type 2 diabetes.

[Association between cardio-ankle vascular index and markers of thrombosis in hospitalized patients COVID-19].

AIM: To evaluate the relationship between the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and the marker of procoagulant state - D-dimer in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved adult patients admitted to the University hospital with clinically diagnosed or laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. We compared groups of patients with normal and elevated CAVI. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between risk factors and elevated D-dimer levels; odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated to determine the strength of association. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The study included 152 patients [64 (42.1%) men and 88 (57.9%) women], mean age 59.10±12.74 years. 45 (29.6%) had elevated CAVI. Patients with elevated CAVI were older, had more comorbid diseases, a higher Charlson comorbidity index and D-dimer levels. Age, the comorbidity index, and CAVI above 9.5 were associated with elevated D-dimer levels in patients with COVID-19. In a multivariate logistic regression, CAVI above 9.5 was an independent predictor of increased D-dimer in patients with COVID-19 (OR 2.513, 95% CI 1.050-6.012; p=0.038). CONCLUSION: In this study, for the first time, the association between a vascular stiffness marker, elevated CAVI, and increased D-dimer levels in COVID-19 patients was shown. This relationship may be a consequence of endothelial dysfunction and can be used as an additional marker of coagulopathy developing as part of COVID-19.

[Ferroptosis-associated lesion as a potential target for cardiovascular disease: A review].

Cell death is an important feature of the development of multicellular organisms, a critical factor in the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. Understanding the mechanisms that control cell death is crucial to determine its role in the development of the pathological process. However, the most well-known types of cell death cannot fully explain the pathophysiology of heart disease. Understanding how cardiomyocytes die and why their regeneration is limited is an important area of research. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent cell death that differs from apoptosis, necrosis, autophagy, and other forms of cell death in terms of morphology, metabolism, and protein expression. Ferroptotic cell death is characterized by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species resulting from lipid peroxidation and subsequent oxidative stress, which can be prevented by iron chelates (eg, deferoxamine) and small lipophilic antioxidants (eg, ferrostatin, liproхstatin). In recent years, many studies have been carried out on ferroptosis in the context of the development of atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and other diseases. In addition to cardiovascular diseases, the review also presents data on the role of ferroptosis in the development of other socially significant diseases, such as COVID-19, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. With the study of ferroptosis, it turned out that ferroptosis participates in the development of bacterial infection associated with the persistence in the host body of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The review summarizes the recent advances in the study of ferroptosis, characterizing this type of cell death as a novel therapeutic target.

[The National Consensus statement on the management of adult patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and main comorbidities].

The National Consensus was prepared with the participation of the National Medical Association for the Study of the Multimorbidity, Russian Scientific Liver Society, Russian Association of Endocrinologists, Russian Association of Gerontologists and Geriatricians, National Society for Preventive Cardiology, Professional Foundation for the Promotion of Medicine Fund PROFMEDFORUM. The aim of the multidisciplinary consensus is a detailed analysis of the course of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the main associated conditions. The definition of NAFLD is given, its prevalence is described, methods for diagnosing its components such as steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis are described. The association of NAFLD with a number of cardio-metabolic diseases (arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, thrombotic complications, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, dyslipidemia, etc.), chronic kidney disease and the risk of developing hepatocellular cancer were analyzed. The review of non-drug methods of treatment of NAFLD and modern opportunities of pharmacotherapy are presented. The possibilities of new molecules in the treatment of NAFLD are considered: agonists of nuclear receptors, antagonists of pro-inflammatory molecules, etc. The positive properties and disadvantages of currently used drugs (vitamin E, thiazolidinediones, etc.) are described. Special attention is paid to the multi-target ursodeoxycholic acid molecule in the complex treatment of NAFLD as a multifactorial disease. Its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and cytoprotective properties, the ability to reduce steatosis an independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular pathology, reduce inflammation and hepatic fibrosis through the modulation of autophagy are considered. The ability of ursodeoxycholic acid to influence glucose and lipid homeostasis and to have an anticarcinogenic effect has been demonstrated. The Consensus statement has advanced provisions for practitioners to optimize the diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD and related common pathogenetic links of cardio-metabolic diseases.

[The importance of matrix metalloproteinases in the development of atrial fibrillation in obesity].

BACKGROUND: One of the trends in modern cardiology is the study of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) system. Currently, an increase in plasma concentrations of some MMPs and their tissue inhibitors is considered as one of the earliest biochemical markers of myocardial fibrosis in various diseases of the cardiovascular system. Discusses the importance of MMP in the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). AIM: To study the effect of the MMP system on the development of AF in obese patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 105 patients with a body mass index of more than 30 kg/m2. Depending on the presence of AF, the patients were divided into 2 groups. The criterion for inclusion of patients in group 1 was the presence of documented AF paroxysm in 55 obese patients. The comparison group (group 2) consisted of 50 obese patients without heart rhythm disorders. When patients were included in the study, in order to assess the severity of visceral obesity, all patients underwent a general clinical examination, echocardiography. To determine the activity of the MMP system, venous blood was taken from patients. RESULTS: Significantly higher values of MMP-9 were detected in patients with obesity and paroxysmal AF 315.753.4 ng/ml than in patients with obesity without heart rhythm disorders 220.954.7 ng/ml (p=0.002); the values of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 were 185.342.2 and 119.242.6 ng/ml, respectively (p=0.007). In patients with obesity and paroxysmal AF, a correlation of moderate strength between the level of MMP-9 and the volume of left atrium and a direct dependence of moderate strength between the ratio of waist volume to height and the plasma values of MMP-9 was revealed. The MMP-9 index (AUC 0.92) had a high diagnostic value for determining the probability of having a paroxysmal form of AF in obese patients. With an increase in the level of MMP-9 more than 295 ng/ml, it is possible to predict the presence of paroxysmal AF in obese patients with a sensitivity of 74.5% and a specificity of 94%. CONCLUSION: In patients with obesity and paroxysmal AF, a significant increase in the parameters of the MMP system (MMP-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1) was revealed when compared with obese patients without heart rhythm disorders (p0.05). With an increase in MMP-9 of more than 285 ng/ml in obese patients, the appearance of AF with a sensitivity of 74.5% and a specificity of 94% can be predicted.

[New clinical opportunities for mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists: focus on antifibrotic effects].

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists have been successfully used for many years to treat patients with primary hyperaldosteronism, refractory arterial hypertension and chronic heart failure. The increased interest in this drug in recent years is due to new information about its antifibrotic and antiproliferative effects, both cardiac and extracardiac. The article also discusses the possibility of using spironolactone in patients with the new coronavirus infection SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

Lizinopril in the Treatment of Arterial Hypertension.

Despite availability of a wide selection of antihypertensive drugs, only a small portion of patients with arterial hypertension are treated effectively. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) are considered drugs of first choice for starting therapy of uncomplicated arterial hypertension. Among large number of representatives of this class lisinopril deserves special attention as one of best known and well-studied ACEIs. Wide spectrum of activity and proven organoprotective qualities of lisinopril allow to use it a variety of situations.

[Telmisartan in the treatment of hypertensive patients]. / Telmisartan v lechenii bol'nykh arterial'noi gipertoniei.

The paper highlights the use of telmisartan, one of the currently available angiotensin receptor blockers, for the treatment of patients with hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and those at high cardiovascular risk. Telmisartan treatment allows blood pressure control, provides organ protection at different stages of the cardiovascular continuum, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and death. The additional properties and pleiotropic activity of the drug determines its wide range of applications in cardiology.

[Dynamics of Biochemical Markers of Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients With Arterial Hypertension].

Arterial hypertension (AH) occupies the first place among causes of atrial fibrillation (AF) in general population. AF in patients with AH substantially elevates risk of cardiovascular complications. Endothelial dysfunction (ED) in patients with AH at appearance of AF might have great prognostic value for stratification of risk of thromboembolic complications. We studied biochemical markers of ED in patients with AH and various forms of AF. Collagen binding activity of the von Willebrand factor (vWF) in patients with permanent AF was significantly higher than in patients without heart rhythm disturbances and did not depend on degree of AH. We revealed dependence of moderate strength between frequency of AF paroxysms during a year and collagen binding activity of vWF in patients with persistent AF. Blood plasma concentration of endothelin increased with increase of degree of AH both in patients with AF and in those without heart rhythm disturbances and did not depend on form of arrhythmia.

[The clinical course of atrial fibrillation in patients with coronary heart disease].

The modern medical literature practically does not contain clinical publications reporting studies of factors responsible for progression of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). It accounts for the importance of investigations into evolution of the clinical course of AF in such patients. Aim: To elucidate evolution of the clinical course of AF in patients with CHD in a long-term prospective study. Materials and methods: The study included. 112 patient aged 57-74 (mean 67.44±3.3) years with CHD and paroxysmal form of AF carried outfrom 2011 to 2015. Evolution of the clinical course of AF was evaluated based on the number of arrhythmic attacks during the last 3 months. The appearance of prolonged persistent AF episodes or permanent AF was regarded as progression of arrhythmia. Results: During the 4 year study, 64 (57,2%) patients (group 1) did not experiencea rise in the frequency and duration of AF attacks. Progression of arrhythmia was documented in 48 (42,8%) of the 112 (100%) patients (group 2). These patients more frequently had the history of myocardial infarction and chronic heart failure than patients of group 1. The latter had the mean values of left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction 61,23±6,24%, i.e. significantly higher than 48,47±8,4% in group 2.47 and 28 % of the patients in group 2and 1 respectively suffered mitral regurgitation (p<0,05). Patients of group 2 had significantly more akineticzones. Intake of nitroglycerin in group 1 resulted in positive dynamics of local LV contractility that did not change in patients of group 2. Conclusion: 42,8% of the patients with CHD and paroxysmal form of AF experienced progression of arrhythmia into a persistent or permanent form. Predictors of AF progression in patients with CHD are the history of myocardial infarction, chronic heart failure, mitral regurgitation, and irreversible changes in local myocardial LV contraction.

[The altered endothelial function in patients with arterial hypertension and different forms of atrial fibrillation].

UNLABELLED: The role of endothelial function in the development of cardiovascular diseases has recently attracted attention of many researchers due to increasingly more data suggesting the relationship between endothelial dysfunction (ED) and disturbed cardiac rhythms including atrial fibrillation (AF). ED is known to precede lesions in target organs related to arterial hypertension (AH) which makes the study of endothelial function as an early marker of vascular lesions in AH and AF a topical issue. AIM: To study changes of endothelial function in patients with AH and AF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Group 1 included 84 patients with AH (inclusion criteria: essential AH and confirmed paroxysm of AF), group 2 contained 20 patients with AH and permanent AF, control group was comprised of 30 AH patients without AF. The vasomotor function of endothelium was evaluated from reactive hyperemia determined by the ultrasonic method, blood samples for biochemical analysis and determination of Willebrand factor (WF) were taken during fasting. RESULTS: Patients of group 2 showed significant changes of endothelium-dependent vasodilation of the brachial artery. Its diameter within 60 sec after decompression increased by 5.8 +/- 0.9% and 12.3 +/- 1.2% in groups 1 and 3 respectively (p < 0.05). In group 2, collagen-binding activity of WF increased significantly to 1500 +/-140 U/100 ml compared with 1060 +/- 120 and 840 +/- 110 in groups 2 and 3 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with AH and persistent AF had altered endothelial function in the form of significant decrease of endothelium-dependent vasodilation of the brachial artery and increase of collagen-binding activity of WF.

[The inheritance of premature ventricular excitation syndrome and the evolution of its clinical course according to prospective studies].

Interest for the problem of inheritance of premature ventricular excitation syndrome (PVES) has grown significantly in the recent years due to an increase in the prevalence of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation in the general population. Appearance of such cardiac arrhythmias in young people makes it necessary to include PVES in diagnostic search program. At the same time, the clinical picture of the disease may change with age and appearance of various cardiovascular pathology. A prospective study including 240 patients was undertaken to study the evolution of the clinical course of PVES. A 30-year observation showed that in 88% of PVES patients the number of forms and the degree of the severity of cardiac arrhythmias tended to grow. By the end of the study the prevalence of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia had decreased significantly, while the number of patients with atrial fibrillation had increased. Attacks of atrial fibrillation occurred in PVES at older age than paroxysmal tachycardia, and it was observed much more often in cases where PVES was combined with other heart diseases. Thus, the studies show that paroxysms of atrial fibrillation in PVES patients occur more often in the presence of different cardiovascular diseases, and that clinical manifestations of PVES are determined by the evolution of the associated diseases as well.