Combined Heart Injuries on the Data of Contrast-Enhanced Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With Post-Covid Syndrome.

Aim      Prospective assessment of the nature of cardiac injury in patients with post-COVID syndrome according to contrast-enhanced MRI in routine clinical practice.Material and methods  106 previously unvaccinated patients were evaluated. 62 (58.5%) of them were women with complaints that persisted after COVID-19 (median age, 57.5 [49; 64] years). In addition to standard indexes, markers of inflammation and myocardial injury were determined, and cardiac contrast-enhanced MRI was performed in each patient.Results The median time from the onset of COVID-19 to cardiac MRI was 112.5 [75; 151] days. The nature of cardiac injury according to MRI in patients with post-COVID syndrome was complex and included a decrease in left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular ejection fraction, pericardial effusion, and pathological foci of late and early contrast enhancement at various locations. In 29 (27.4%) cases, there was a combination of any two signs of heart injury. In 28 (26.4%) patients with focal myocardial injury during the acute phase of COVID-19, hydroxychloroquine and tocilizumab were administered significantly more frequently, but antiviral drugs were administered less frequently. The presence of focal myocardial injury was associated with pathological LV remodeling.Conclusion      According to contrast-enhanced cardiac MRI, at least 27.4% of patients with post-COVID syndrome may have signs of cardiac injury in various combinations, and in 26.4% of cases, foci of myocardial injury accompanied by LV remodeling are detected. The nature of heart injury after COVID-19 depends on the premorbid background, characteristics of the course of the infectious process, and the type of prescribed therapy. An algorithm for evaluating patients with post-COVID syndrome is proposed.

[Hyperammonaemia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obesity: association mechanisms, detection rate and correction].

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a world-wide problem. It is characterized by comorbidity. Among the numerous comorbidity obesity is considered. The common pathogenetic factors cause the more severe course of COPD. Obesity is a complex metabolic condition affecting many physiological systems, in particular, the metabolic liver affection is developing in the type of non-alcoholic liver disease. In patients with different stages of non-alcoholic liver disease detoxification function is reduced. Toxic ammonia does not convert in urea. Ammonia begins to affect the whole organism. AIM: To identify the frequency of hyperammonemia in patients with COPD and obesity, to analyze the degree of its influence on the COPD course and the quality of patients life, to assess the possibility of hyperammonemia correction with L-ornithine L-aspartate (LOLA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 50 patients with non-acute COPD (GOLD 2), Group D, phenotype with frequent exacerbations, central-type obesity. At the 1st stage of the investigation, COPD course was evaluated, specific evaluation tests (mMRC, CCQ, CAT, SGRQ, SF-36) were used, the biochemical blood test was performed, hyperammoniemia was detected on a Pocket Chem BA PA-4140, and Number Connecting Test was performed. In the 2ndstage of the investigation, all patients were prescribed a course of treatment with LOLA and after 4 weeks the estimated parameters were compared in dynamics. RESULTS: After 4 weeks, comparative analysis showed reliable positive dynamics of subjective assessment of weakness, 2 scales of SGRQ questionnaire, all scales of SF-36 questionnaire, as well as reliable reduction of ammonia level by 18.26 mol/l, normal value of Number Connecting Test. CONCLUSION: Detection of hyperammoniemia in patients with COPD and obesity and its correction with LOLA seems rational in order to reduce toxic effects of ammonia on organs and systems in this category of patients.