[Implantation of a fenestriated stent-graft in a patient with thoracic aortic aneurysm]. / Implantatsiya fenestrirovannogo stent-grafta u patsienta s anevrizmoi grudnogo otdela aorty.

The authors present endovascular treatment of a patient with stenosis of the left anterior descending artery, chronic DeBakey type III aortic dissection and thoracic aortic aneurysm. The first stage was percutaneous coronary intervention with stenting of the left anterior descending artery. The second stage implied implantation of a fenestrated stent-graft. The follow-up CT angiography after 6 months revealed occlusion of the left subclavian artery that required stenting. Control CT angiography confirmed adequate stent-graft placement without endoleaks and stenosis of the artery. The choice of these reconstructions and stages of interventions are substantiated. The authors concluded effectiveness of treatment strategy, as well as the need for preventive subclavian artery stenting after implantation of a fenestrated graft.

[Hybrid revascularization in a patient with Covid-19 and chronic limb ischemia stage IV]. / Gibridnaya revaskulyarizatsiya u patsienta s COVID-19, khronicheskoi ishemiei nizhnei konechnosti IV stepeni.

The authors report hybrid treatment of a patient with angina pectoris class II, multiple previous reconstructive interventions on the aortofemoral segment and chronic ischemia of the left lower limb stage IV and concomitant COVID-19. Coronary angiography was performed after regression of infectious disease under antiviral therapy. Occlusion of the left anterior descending artery was observed that required LAD stenting. On the next day, hybrid revascularization of the lower extremities was implemented: thrombectomy and endarterectomy from the branch of the aorto-femoral bypass graft and deep femoral artery at the first stage, stenting of the orifice of proximal branch of aorto-femoral bypass graft at the second stage, endarterectomy from superficial femoral artery, recanalization and stenting of superficial femoral artery and popliteal artery at the third stage and prosthetic- femoral bypass with autologous vein at the fourth stage. Postoperative angiography revealed patent stents and no residual stenoses. The choice in favor of these procedures and step-by-step approach has been substantiated. The authors emphasized effectiveness and safety of this treatment strategy.

[Vertebral artery stenosis - surgical, endovascular or hybrid treatment strategy?] / Stenoz pozvonochnoi arterii ­ khirurgicheskaya, endovaskulyarnaya ili gibridnaya strategiya lecheniya?

The main idea of this literature review is based on the uncertainty in the current recommendations regarding the treatment of patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) caused by the presence of hemodynamically significant stenosis of the vertebral artery (VA). The authors present comparative results of medical, endovascular, open surgical methods of treatment, demonstrating the advantages and disadvantages of each of them, describe new hybrid correction options with substantiation of their effectiveness and safety. The results of treatment of patients with VBI without VA stenosis, with atherosclerotic lesions of the internal carotid arteries are presented. The role of carotid endarterectomy in these conditions has been substantiated. Rare cases of VBI caused by abnormal origin of VA from atherosclerotically changed common carotid artery are demonstrated. The treatment options for patients with combined hemodynamically significant stenosis of the VA and carotid arteries are described. The emphasis is made on the need to stratify the risk of complications in this cohort of patients using modern programs to implement a personalized approach to treatment.

[Embolization of arteriovenous malformation of the scrotum]. / Embolizatsiya arteriovenoznoi mal'formatsii moshonki.

The authors report a rare disease at the junction of urology and cardiovascular surgery (arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of the scrotum). The options for correction of this disease are discussed. The authors describe the complications of natural course of disease and their treatment. Treatment strategy with AVM embolization is substantiated. Postoperative regression of symptoms is emphasized. The authors concluded safety and effectiveness of interventional correction of this disease.

[A multicenter study on the influence of different kinds of carotidal endarterectomy on the course of resistant arterial hypertension]. / Mnogotsentrovoe issledovanie vliyaniya razlichnykh vidov karotidnoi endarterektomii na techenie rezistentnoi arterial'noi gipertenzii.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the dynamics of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and the results of various types of carotid endarterectomy (CEE) in patients with resistant arterial hypertension (RAH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 1577 patients with hemodynamically significant stenosis of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and RAH for more than 3 years. Patients were enrolled from January 2014 to December 2020. Depending on the implemented revascularization strategy, 5 groups were formed: group 1 (n=289 (18.3%)) with classical CEE with plasty of the reconstruction zone with a patch, group 2 (n=472 (29.9%)) with eversional CEE with cut-off of carotid glomus (CG); group 3 (n=109 (6.9%)) with the formation of a new bifurcation; group 4: (n=117 (7.4%)) with autoarterial reconstruction; group 5: (n=590 (37.4%)) with glomus-saving CEE. RESULTS: In the postoperative period, no significant differences were obtained in the frequency of deaths (0.34% for group 1; 0.63% for group 2; 0% for groups 3, 4 and 5), myocardial infarction (0.34%, 0.84%, 1.83, 0.85%, 0.33%, respectively); ischemic stroke (0.34%, 1.27%, 0.91%, 0.85%, 0.17%, respectively), hemorrhagic transformation (0%, 0.84%, 0.91%, 0.85%, 0%, respectively). However, according to the frequency of the combined endpoint (death + myocardial infarction + ischemic stroke + hemorrhagic transformation), the lowest rates were observed in the group of classical carotid endarterectomy with plasty of the reconstruction zone with a patch and glomus-sparing CEE (1.03%, 3.6%, 3.67%, 2.56%, 0.5%, respectively). This is due to the absence of cases of labile AH and hypertensive crises among patients of groups 1 and 5, which was ensured by the preservation of carotid glomus (CG). As a result, the number of patients with 2 and 3 degrees of hypertension in these groups decreased statistically significantly. The vast majority of patients after these operations achieved a stable target SBP. In groups 2, 3, and 4, there was a statistically significant increase in the number of patients with 2 and 3 degrees of AH, which is associated with excision of the CG. CONCLUSION: Classical CEE and glomus-sparing CEE techniques make it possible to achieve a stable target SBP level in patients with RAH as a result of CG preservation. Removal or traumatization of the latter during eversional CEE, the formation of a new bifurcation, autoarterial reconstruction is accompanied by the development of labile hypertension, an increase in the degree of hypertension and a high risk of hemorrhagic transformation in the brain. Thus, the most effective and safe types of CEE in the presence of RAH are classical CEE with plasty of the reconstruction zone with a patch and glomus-sparing CEE.

[Transposition of internal carotid artery over hypoglossal nerve in eversion carotid endarterectomy]. / Eversionnaya karotidnaya endarterektomiya: transpozitsiya vnutrennei sonnoi arterii nad pod"yazychnym nervom.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze in-hospital and long-term results of eversion carotid endarterectomy (CEE) with transposition of internal carotid artery (ICA) over hypoglossal nerve. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cohort prospective open-label study included 919 patients with severe ICA stenosis for the period from January 2017 to April 2020. The 1st group (n=172) included patients who underwent eversion CEE with ICA transposition over hypoglossal nerve; the 2nd group (n=747) - who underwent conventional eversion CEE. ICA transposition technique included standard mobilization of the carotid arteries, cross-clamping, arterial wall incision, removal of atherosclerotic plaque and ICA translocation above the hypoglossal nerve for subsequent anastomosis. All patients were examined every 6 months. Mean follow-up period was 17.5±6.9 months. RESULTS: There were no significant between-group differences in cardiovascular morbidity. However, all complications occurred in the 2nd group (traditional eversion CEE). Nevertheless, incidence of adverse events was minimal and combined endpoint did not exceed 0.6% (n=5). Both groups were also comparable by overall incidence of cardiovascular events in long-term period. All ICA restenoses (over 70%) were symptomatic with similar incidence (4 (2.3%) vs. 18 (2.4%), respectively, p=0.83; OR 0.96; 95% CI 0.32-2.88). Mean restenosis-free period was 7.2±2.6 months. In case of significant restenosis, redo CEE with patch repair was performed. There were no cardiovascular complications. All cases of hypoglossal nerve injury occurred in the 2nd group (0 vs. 18 (100%), respectively; p=0.0001; OR 0.003; 95% CI=5.21-0.17) without ICA transposition over the hypoglossal nerve. CONCLUSION: Eversion CEE with ICA transposition over the hypoglossal nerve ensures optimal conditions for successful redo CEE in case of restenosis. This technique facilitates ICA mobilization without hypoglossal nerve injury. This aspect is valuable for successful postoperative outcome and adequate quality of life. ICA transposition is not difficult and does not require additional experience. Transposition per se is not a risk factor of ICA restenosis. Thus, ICA transposition may be routinely recommended in patients eligible for eversion CEE.

[Results of a single-centre study of open and endovascular operations of prosthetic repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms]. / Rezul'taty odnotsentrovogo issledovaniia otkrytykh i éndovaskuliarnykh operatsii protezirovaniia anevrizm briushnogo otdela aorty.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to assess surgical outcomes in patients suffering from an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm and treated at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery #2 of the National Medical Research Centre named after V.A. Almazov. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out a non-randomized retrospective study including a total of 209 patients presenting with an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. Of these, 160 (76%) patients were subjected to open surgical interventions (Group One) and 49 (24%) patients underwent endovascular isolation of the abdominal aortic aneurysm (Group Two). The check examination was performed in the early postoperative period and at 30 postoperative days. The mean age of the patients amounted to 65±3.4 and 69±6.2 years in Group One and Two, respectively, with the mean diameter of the infrarenal portion of the aorta amounting to 6.5±0.8 and 6.7±0.9 cm, respectively. RESULTS: 30-day mortality amounted to 2.5 and 2.05% in Group One and Two, respectively (OR 1.231; 95% CI 0.134-11.277). Repeat interventions were more often performed in Group One patients compared with Group Two patients (13.7 vs 2.05%) (OR 6.085; 95% CI 0.791-46.799). Postoperative complications were observed more often in Group One patients than in Group Two patients (OR 9.916; 95% CI 2.143-39.457). Complications encountered in Group One and not observed in Group Two were as follows: nosocomial pneumonia - in 3.75% of cases, acute impairment of cerebral circulation (AICC) and acute myocardial infarction - in 1.25% of cases each, cardiac arrhythmia and acute renal failure - in 1.88% of cases each. Local postoperative wound-related complications were encountered in 18.11% of cases in Group One versus 4.1% in Group Two (OR 5.202; 95% CI 1.195-22.652). CONCLUSIONS: The retrospective analysis of open and endovascular methods of treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms demonstrated that, given the multifocal nature of an atherosclerotic lesion in the cohort of patients involved, it is appropriate in the preoperative period to perform coronarography in all patients in order to rule out significant damage of the coronary bed. It is also appropriate to regard a cohort over 60 years and patients found to have significant concomitant pathology as candidates for endovascular treatment. A differentiated approach to careful selection will make it possible to improve the results of treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

[5-year surgical results in patients with chronic postembolic pulmonary hypertension]. / Pyatiletnie rezul'taty khirurgicheskogo lecheniya patsientov s khronicheskoi postembolicheskoi legochnoi gipertenziei.

AIM: To evaluate 5-year results of surgical treatment of patients with chronic postembolic pulmonary hypertension. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 170 patients with chronic postembolic pulmonary hypertension underwent pulmonary thrombendarterectomy. Mean age was 48±21.5 years. The operation was carried out using standard technique with hypothermia and circulatory arrest. We have analyzed clinical and functional status of 47 patients (23 males) prior to surgery and in long-term postoperative period (5-6 years). Distance of 6-minute walk test, mean pulmonary artery pressure and vascular resistance according to right heart catheterization, RV ejection fraction and volumes according to echocardiography, pulmonary artery diameter according to CT-angiography were analyzed. RESULTS: In remote postoperative period average distance of 6-minute walk test was increased by 2.8 times compared with initial values. Right heart catheterization revealed reduction of the average pulmonary pressure from 54.04±23.35 to 25.16±15.41 mmHg and vascular resistance from 539.66±120.59 dyn·sec·cm-5 to 101.39±89.20 dyn·sec·cm-5. Echocardiography showed increase of RV EF from 36±2.3 to 51.8±4.1% and decrease of RV end-diastolic volume from 109.4±39.2 to 39.1±6.8 ml. According CT-angiography there was decrease of pulmonary trunk diameter from 35.10±5.25 to 30.30±8.65 mm. CONCLUSION: Our 5-year data show that pulmonary thrombendarterectomy has high long-term effectiveness in patients with proximal form of chronic postembolic pulmonary hypertension.

[Surgical treatment of a patient with coronary artery disease combined with stenosis of the left subclavian artery].

Presented in the article is a clinical case report regarding successfully used hybrid technology in combined lesions of the coronary arteries and the first segment of the left subclavian artery. The patient was subjected to simultaneous hybrid operation, i. e., transaortic angioplasty with stenting of the left subclavian artery by means of the Assurant stent accompanied by coronary artery bypass grafting. The early postoperative period turned out uneventful. The patient was discharged with no complications and in a satisfactory condition. At the 12-month follow-up visit, the patient presented no complaints, felling satisfactory as he stated, and there was no evidence of restenosis as revealed by the findings of ultrasonographic examination. This clinical case report demonstrates that in this type of combined lesion the use of hybrid technologies makes it possible to obtain a favourable surgical outcome both in the immediate and remote postoperative periods.

Discovery of τ Neutrino Appearance in the CNGS Neutrino Beam with the OPERA Experiment.

The OPERA experiment was designed to search for ν_{µ}→ν_{τ} oscillations in appearance mode, i.e., by detecting the τ leptons produced in charged current ν_{τ} interactions. The experiment took data from 2008 to 2012 in the CERN Neutrinos to Gran Sasso beam. The observation of the ν_{µ}→ν_{τ} appearance, achieved with four candidate events in a subsample of the data, was previously reported. In this Letter, a fifth ν_{τ} candidate event, found in an enlarged data sample, is described. Together with a further reduction of the expected background, the candidate events detected so far allow us to assess the discovery of ν_{µ}→ν_{τ} oscillations in appearance mode with a significance larger than 5σ.