Overweight and Obesity in the Russian Population: Prevalence in Adults and Association with Socioeconomic Parameters and Cardiovascular Risk Factors.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and geographic distribution of overweight and obesity in Russian adults aged 25-64 years as well as the association between chronic risk factors and obesity. METHODS: Data were obtained from the survey "Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Diseases and Its Risk Factors in Some Regions of the Russian Federation" (ESSE-RF). This is a large cross-sectional multicenter population-based study that included interviews and medical examination (anthropometry, blood pressure [BP] measurement, and laboratory analysis) applied in 2012-2014. RESULTS: The sample included 20,190 adults (response rate 79.4%) aged 25-64 years. Approximately one third of participants (30.3%) had obesity and another third (34.3%) were classified as overweight. BMI increased with age in both sexes. The prevalence of obesity between regions ranged from 24.4 to 35.5%. Overweight and obesity levels decreased with higher education (men only). Overall obesity rates were higher in rural than urban populations, but rates of overweight were similar in rural and urban populations. Participants with obesity were more likely to have BP > 160/100 mm Hg (odds ratio > 2.0) and also > 140/90 mm Hg, raised blood glucose, and high triglycerides. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in Russian adults aged 25-64 years is not evenly distributed geographically, but it is comparable to that of other European countries. Individuals with obesity were also more likely to have indicators of poor cardiovascular and metabolic health.

Radiofrequency versus Cryoballoon Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: An Evaluation Using ECG, Holter Monitoring, and Implantable Loop Recorders to Monitor Absolute and Clinical Effectiveness.

INTRODUCTION: While several studies have compared the radiofrequency current (RFC) and cryoablation for the treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), no study has monitored the long-term outcomes with the usage of implantable loop recorders (ILRs). METHODS: We enrolled 89 consecutive patients with nonvalvular paroxysmal AF (N = 44 for RFC and N = 45 for cryoballoon). The primary efficacy end point was the assessment of effectiveness for each group (RFC versus cryoballoon) when examining freedom from arrhythmia by monitoring with ECG, Holter, and implantable loop recoder (ILR). The primary safety end point compared rates of adverse events between both groups. The secondary efficacy end point examined the duration of the postablation blanking period from ILR retrieved data. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 56.6 ± 10.2 years, and the follow-up duration was 12 months. There were no differences in baseline patient characteristics between groups. At 12 months, the absolute effectiveness (measured by ILR) was 65.9% in the RFC group and 51.1% in the cryoballoon group (OR = 1.85; 95% CI: 0.79-4.35; p = 0.157), and the clinical effectiveness (measured by ECG and Holter) was 81.8% in the RFC group and 55.6% in the cryoballoon group (OR = 3.6; 95% CI: 1.37-9.46; p = 0.008). There was no difference in safety between both groups. Asymptomatic episodes were significantly more present in the RFC group as measured by ILRs (p < 0.010). In cryoballoon group, arrhythmia episodes were recorded equally irrespective of the follow-up method (i.e., ECG and Holter versus ILR (p > 0.010)). The blanking period does not seem to be as important in cryoballoon as compared to RFC. CONCLUSION: RFC and cryoballoon ablation had similar absolute effectiveness at 12 months. ECG and Holter were effective when assessing the efficacy of the cryoballoon ablation; however, in the RFC group, ILR was necessary to accurately assess long-term efficacy.

Modern medical treatment with or without carotid endarterectomy for severe asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the value of modern medical treatment (MMT) with and without carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in patients with asymptomatic severe carotid artery stenosis. METHODS: We conducted a randomized trial involving 55 patients with 70% to 79% carotid stenosis at three Russian centers. Between 2009 and 2013, 31 patients were randomized to undergo CEA with MMT (CEA group) and 24 to receive MMT alone. The primary end point was nonfatal ipsilateral stroke or death from any cause during a follow-up period of 5.0 years. The secondary end point was any nonfatal stroke, carotid revascularization, or death from any cause during follow-up. RESULTS: The trial was stopped after a median follow-up of 3.3 years (maximum, 5.0 years). There were two primary events in the CEA group and nine events in the MMT group. The 3.3-year cumulative primary event rates were 6.5% in the CEA group and 37.5% in the MMT group (hazard ratio for the MMT group, 5.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.53-16.79; P = .008). The 3.3-year cumulative secondary end point was 12.9% in the CEA group and 50.0% in the MMT group (hazard ratio for the MMT group, 4.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.55-11.53; P = .0048). CONCLUSIONS: CEA as an initial management strategy could reduce the risk of death and major cerebrovascular events when added to MMT.

Optimal medical treatment versus carotid endarterectomy: the rationale and design of the Aggressive Medical Treatment Evaluation for Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis (AMTEC) study.

RATIONALE: Carotid endarterectomy and medical therapy (aspirin) were shown superior to medical therapy alone for asymptomatic (≥ 60%) carotid stenosis. The role of modern medical therapy (statins, antihypertensive treatment, and aspirin) in the treatment of such patients is undefined. Establishing the safety, efficacy, and durability of optimal medical therapy and lifestyle modification requires rigorous comparison with carotid endarterectomy in asymptomatic patients. AIMS: The objective is to compare the efficacy of carotid endarterectomy + optimal medical therapy versus optimal medical therapy alone in patients with asymptomatic (70-79%) extracranial carotid stenosis. DESIGN: The Aggressive Medical Treatment Evaluation for Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis study is a prospective, randomized, parallel, two-arm, multicenter trial. Primary end-points will be analyzed using standard time-to-event statistical modeling with adjustment for major baseline covariates. The primary analysis is on an intent-to-treat basis. STUDY OUTCOMES: The primary outcome is nonfatal stroke, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and death during follow-up of up to five-years, and the secondary outcome includes death from any cause and stroke.

Contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes during coronary angiography: risk-factors and prognostic value.

AIMS: To determine risk factors, prognostic, value prevention of development of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have retrospectively analyzed the incidence of CIN developed after PCI in 151 patients T2DM and 50 patients without diabetes. All patients were subjected to thorough clinical examination (including serum creatinine level before and 48 hours after intervention). RESULTS: CIN developed more frequently after PCI in patients with T2DM than in patients of the same age without diabetes at the same baseline renal function, volume of contrast media and hydration status. The risk of developing CIN in patients with T2DM is associated with: heart failure, anemia, volume of contrast media, diuretics use in the peri-procedure period, multiple coronary artery disease, need of interventional procedures. TIDM patients with CIN had faster decline of renal function, more often developed cardiovascular diseases and had lower 24 month survival rate. CONCLUSIONS: High risk of CIN development and its prognostic significance in patients with T2DM determine the necessity of individually evaluated risks for preventive measures during contrast media interventions.