Aim. To assess the efficacy and safety of plant stanols in patients with arterial hypertension (AH) and disorders of lipid metabolism, without clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis.

Material and methods. The study included 40 patients — men at the age of 50-55 years, with AH (stage 1) and cholesterol above 5,0 mmol/l and LDL cholesterol above 3,0 mmol/l with low and medium risk (SCORE — 1-4%). Patients with coronary artery disease and other clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis, secondary hypertension, liver diseases, diabetes mellitus, secondary dyslipoproteinemia, cardiovascular diseases requiring constant therapy, bronchial asthma were excluded from the study. Patients were randomized into 2 groups of 20 people. In the study group of patients within 3 months received plant stanols (2 tab./day), in the control group — only healthy diet. In addition, patients with high blood pressure received antihypertensive therapy. Assessment of lipid parameters (total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides) was performed at baseline and after 3 months. At the beginning of the study, after 3 months of the study patients underwent a full medical examination. Safety control of plant stanols was carried out by determination of liver enzymes (aspartic transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT)), before and after the completion of the study.

Results. Patients of two groups were comparable in baseline characteristics (lipid parameters, blood pressure level). After 3 months of research beginning patients from study group have statistically significant decrease of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. The average level of total cholesterol before treatment was 5,8±0,32 mmol/l, and after treatment — 5,3±0,32 mmol/l, p<0,001. The average level of LDL cholesterol before treatment was 3,6±0,26 mmol/l, and after treatment — 3,3±0,25 mmol/l, p<0,001. According to other lipid parameters (HDL cholesterol, triglycerides) significant differences are not obtained. As a result, there was a significant reduction in the total risk from 4% to 3,1%. As for the control group, the dynamics of lipid parameters were practically not observed. For example, the average level of total cholesterol before treatment was 5,7±0,39 mmol/l, and after treatment — 5,6±0,42 mmol/l. The average level of LDL cholesterol before treatment was 3,6±0,21 mmol/l, and after treatment — 3,6±0,21 mmol/l. The differences between the study and control groups in the reduction of total and LDL cholesterol were highly significant (p<0,001). The study did not reveal the dynamics of liver enzymes. The level of AST before treatment in the study group was 28,4±6,54, and after treatment — 29,5±5,56. ALT levels were 32,3±7,38 and 33,9±5,65, before and after the study, respectively.

Conclusion. The study shows the high efficacy and safety of plant stanols. We found a significant decrease of the two most important parameters of lipid metabolism — total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.

Aim. To determine the set of significant risk factors for arterial hypertension (AH) in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Material and methods. The study included two groups of patients with RA: group 1 — women with AH (n=162), group 2 women without AH (n=61). Clinical, laboratory, instrumental examination of patients and determination of risk factors (RF) for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in RA were provided according to Association of Rheumatologists of Russia (ARR 2017) and the Russian Society of Cardiology (RSC, 2017) guidelines. Salt taste sensitivity threshold (STST) was studied with R. J. Henkin’s modified method. The analysis of the internal body fluids was made with bioimpedance analysis. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated with MDRD equation (K/DOQI, 2002). Statistical data were obtained with “Statistica 10” software. Logit regression analysis was used to identify the correlation between RF and AH.

Results. The predictors of AH in RA were: age over 55 years (p=0,001), early menopause (p=0,001), increased total blood cholesterol (р=0,001), prednisolone intake more than 10 mg/day (p=0,001), early family history of CVD (p=0,01), decreased GFR less than 60 ml/min/1,73 m. (p=0,01), high STST (p=0,01), unbalanced nutrition (p=0,01), pregnancy pathology (p=0,01), high activity of the inflammatory process (p=0,01), psychosocial factors (stress, anxiety, depression) (p=0,01), obesity (p=0,01), duration of RA more than 10 years (p=0,01). There were 2 times more salt-sensitive patients among women with RA and AH than those with RA and without AH (87 and 48%, respectively). Increased fluid in the body was observed with decreased natriuresis; it implied the presence of volume-dependent hypertension (VDH).

Conclusion. The study demonstrated the significance of determining the set of predictors such as cardiometabolic, gender, psychosocial, disease-mediated, renal ones. The importance of STST in RA is evident. The information about AH predictors allows to create individual recommendations to correct modifiable RF and prescribe therapy for women with RA. The conducted research will enable to optimize the follow-up process of the patients and reduce the mortality from cardiovascular complications.

Aim. To study the clinical and anatomical myocardium features according to invasive and non-invasive examination methods in men and women with coronary artery disease (CAD) in combination with diabetes mellitus (DM).

Material and methods. A single-step clinical study included 77 men and 68 women with angina of the II-III functional classes, observed in the Republican clinical hospital in Nazran. Depending on the presence of type 2 DM and gender, patients were divided into 4 groups: Group I — men with CAD+DM (n=34), Group II — women with CAD+DM (n=36), Group III — men with CAD without DM (n=43), group IV — women with CAD without DM (n=32). All patients underwent electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography (EchoCG) and coronary angiography.

Results. Hypertrophy of the left ventricle on ECG was most often diagnosed in men with CAD+DM (38%). Similar, but less pronounced tendency is observed in men without DM (23%). Among women, these parameters were <20%. Left ventricular hypertrophy on EchoCG was determined two times more than the ECG results. Defect of local contractility and myocardial hypokinesis according to EchoCG data was found in both men and women with DM — 29% and 22%, respectively. Among patients without DM, these parameters were 40% less. In general, the frequency of cicatricial ECG changes in all groups had a similar trend. According to coronary angiography, anterior interventricular stenosis was the most frequent vascular lesion. Among men with CAD+DM, it was noted in 62% of cases, in men without DM — in 30%. Among women with CAD+DM, anterior interventricular branch stenosis is detected in 28% of cases, without ~20%. Stenosis of the circumflex branch is detected in no more than 20% of cases in men and women with CAD+DM, and in the groups without DM — in 10%. Stenosis of the right coronary artery is detected in every fourth patient, regardless of the glycemic status. The majority of patients (60%) have constriction of the coronary vessels, the absolute number of such constrictions in the groups of men with CAD and with or without DM was ~70 cases. Among women, this figure was less than 50 cases. Constriction of one or more coronary arteries >80% more often occurred among men with CAD without DM, among men and women with CAD+DM, the absolute number of such constrictions was 21-25 cases. The greatest number of stenoses ≥2 coronary arteries was observed in men with CAD+DM (~30 cases), in the group of men with CAD without DM constriction >2 vessels are found in ~20 cases. Among women, stenosis ≥2 vessels are detected twice as less as compared with men. At the same time, in the group of women with CAD+DM, the frequency of multiple stenoses was 15% higher than those of women with CAD without DM.

Conclusion. Thus, using non-invasive and invasive examination methods in CAD patients, a number of complementary changes in the myocardium and coronary arteries were found. The presence of DM worsens these changes, both among men and women.

Aim. To assess the effectiveness of trimetazidine and fabomotisol adding to standard treatment in patients with stable angina in the area of former armed conflict in point of improving of Holter monitoring parameters.

Material and methods. One hundred and twelve patients with stable angina of the II-III functional classes (FC) living in the area of former armed conflict were randomly divided into two groups. For 6 months 54 patients (control group) received standard treatment (isosorbide dinitrate 40 mg/day, metoprolole tartras 50-100 mg/day, acetylsalicylic acid 100 mg/day, simvastatin 40 mg/day). Fifty eight patients (study group) in addition to a standard treatment, took trimetazidine 70 mg/day and fabomotisol 30 mg/day. Initially and after 6 months they underwent Holter monitoring.

Results. In patients of the control group the number of episodes of silent myocardial ischemia was statistically significantly reduced (p<0,05). The duration of episodes of silent and manifest myocardial ischemia, ST segment depression >1 mm, and the number of patients with supraventricular and ventricular extrasystoles decreased not statistically significant (p>0,05). The number of episodes of manifest myocardial ischemia did not change. In the study group, the number of silent ischemia episodes, the duration of silent and manifest myocardial ischemia significantly decreased. ST segment depression and the frequency of ventricular extrasystoles were also decreased (p<0,05). At the same time, the changes in number of supraventricular extrasystoles was not statistically significant (p>0,05).  

Conclusion. Using a combination of trimetazidine with fabomotisol in comparison with standard treatment in patients with angina reduces the frequency of angina episodes, the duration of myocardial ischemia, ST segment depression, the frequency of supraventricular and ventricular extrasystoles.

Aim. To study the association between a positive results of Heart-type fatty acid binding protein (h-FABP) test with the development of adverse outcomes during the year of observation in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) depending on the type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM-2) presence.

Material and methods. The study included 153 patients with NSTEACS hospitalized in the department of emergency cardiology in the period from March 2014 to January 2017. In addition to the standard examination, all patients underwent a qualitative analysis on the h-FABP in venous blood.

 Results. Kaplan–Meier estimator demonstrated a significant probability of a combined end point in patients with positive h-FABP, both with and without DM-2. H-FABP also acts as a marker for the development of adverse outcomes during the year after NSTE-ACS. Patients with adverse outcomes and type 2 diabetes mellitus had the highest frequency (100%) of positive test reactions.

Conclusion. H-FABP positive test when admitted to hospital may be considered as a predictor of adverse long-term outcomes in patients with NSTE-ACS. That statistics is most significant for patients with DM-2.

Aim. To study the relationship between the level of the N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) and aldosterone in serum, cardiovascular remodeling parameters with the degree of chronic heart failure (CHF) and kidney dysfunction (KD).

Material and methods. Fifty two patients with coronary artery disease with CHF of I (19 patients), II (21) and III (12) functional classes (FC) were examined. All patients underwent echocardiography with assessment of systolic function and structural-geometric parameters of the left ventricle (LV), blood flow study at the level of the common carotid artery (CCA) with the determination of the thickness of the intim-media complex, velocity parameters of blood flow, resistance (RI) and pulsation (PI) indexes, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) by CKD-ЕРI method, the level of NTproBNP and aldosterone in serum. The patients were divided depending on the eGFR elvel: 30< eGFR ≤60 ml/min/1,73 m2 — 14 patients, eGFR >60 ml/min/1,73 m2 — 38 patients.

Results. Patients with II FC CHF had the medium-high NTproBNP and aldosterone values. Subjects with FC III CHF had high levels of NTproBNP and aldosterone. A correlation relationship was found between the NTproBNP, aldosterone and ejection fraction (EF) levels (r=-0,70 and r=-0,72, respectively), between the NTproBNP, aldosterone and enddiastolic LV velocity (r=0,78 and r=0,70, respectively). There was a significant thickening of the carotid intima-media complex and a decrease in the blood flow velocity and an increase in vascular resistance with increasing CHF. We also noted a significant difference in the maximum end-diastolic velocity in patients with eGFR ≤60 ml/min/1,73 m2 compared with this indicator in patients with eGFR >60 ml/min/1,73 m2.

Conclusion. In patients with CHF, a significant increase in NTproBNP and aldosterone levels is associated with FC of CHF, LV systolic dysfunction and KD. The interrelation of cardiovascular remodeling indicators with the degree of CHF and KD was revealed.

Aim. To develop a mathematical equation (algorithm) to predict the development of chronic heart failure (CHF) for three years, depending on the clinical phenotype.

Material and methods. Three hundred forty five patients with CHF with a different left ventricular ejection fraction (preserved, mean, low) were examined. The control group included somatically healthy individuals (n=60). In all patients, 48 parameters that most widely characterize the pathogenesis of CHF (gender-anamnestic, clinical, instrumental, biochemical) were analyzed. To isolate phenotypes, dispersive and cluster analysis was used: the hierarchical classification method and the k-means method. In the development of algorithms we used binary logistic regression method. We used ROC curve to assess the quality of the obtained algorithms.

Results. We identified four phenotypes in patients with CHF: fibro-rigid, fibro-inflammatory, inflammatory-destructive, dilated-maladaptive. For the first three phenotypes, a mathematical logistic regression method was used to develop mathematical models for predicting the progression of CHF for three years, with the release of predictors for each phenotype. Belonging to the dilatedmaladaptive phenotype according to the results of the analysis is already an indicator of an unfavorable prognosis in patients with CHF.

Conclusion. The developed algorithms based on the selected phenotypes have high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity and can be recommended for use in clinical practice.

Aim. To study the relationship of chronic kidney disease parameters with glycemic control, subclinical and clinical signs of cardiovascular diseases and laboratory parameters.

Material and methods. The study included 528 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) aged 30-69 years. All respondents answered questions from the ARIC questionnaire about T2DM and cardiovascular diseases. We determined the ankle-brachial index, sonographic left ventricular hypertrophy, intima-media thickness and defined hypertensive, diabetic angiopathy and polyneuropathy. The levels of glycemia, lipid spectrum, creatinine, uric acid, glycohemoglobin were evaluted. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated using the Cockroft-Gault method, and microalbuminuria (MAU) was determined using Micral tests.

Results. Glycohemoglobin did not depend on MAU (p=0,564), a decrease in GFR was accompanied by an improvement in glycemic control (p=0,393). There was a direct association between MAU and the duration of diabetes (p=0,001), in patients with a longer course of the disease GFR was reduced (p=0,001). With increasing of systolic blood pressure, MAU progressed (p=0,016), while GFR decreased (p<0,01). In patients with hypertensive angiopathy, MAU of 100 mg/dl (p=0,001) and stage 2 of chronic kidney disease (p=0,048) occurred with the highest incidence (1/4) (p=0,048). According to the survey, angina was found in patients with MAU of 100 mg/dl (p=0,006). Chronic heart failure led to the progression of albuminuria (p=0,007), in patients with clinical signs of atherosclerosis of the lower extremities, the frequency of MAU was 72-87,5% (p=0,032). The highest intima-media thickness of the right carotid artery in patients with GFR 89-60 ml/min and MAU 100 mg/dL (respectively, 1,77±0,41, 1,33±0,49) were determined. Sonographic signs of left ventricular hypertrophy were observed in 84,6% of patients with an MAU of 300 mg/dL (p=0,022), as the severity of albuminuria increased, the ejection fraction of the left ventricle decreased (p=0,003). Albuminuria increased the level of myocardial remodeling (p<0,05) and this indicator showed a direct relationship with the severity of MAU. With an increase in albuminuria, the degree of triglyceridemia increased. An increase of MAU level and a decrease in GFR was accompanied by an increase in creatininemia (p<0,001). A direct relationship was found between lithemia and MAU. Conversely, a decrease in GFR contributed to the progression of MAU (p<0,001).

Conclusion. Reduction of GFR and MAU are the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in the Azerbaijani population with T2DM. We suppose that periodic monitoring of these parameters for primary and secondary prevention of diabetic nephropathy plays an important role.

Aim. To study the multimorbid features in the long-lived veterans of the Smolensk region.

Material and methods. One hundred and twelve patients (male =58, female =54) aged ≥90 years who were hospitalized and rehabilitated at the Smolensk Regional Clinical Hospital for War Veterans during the period of 2013-2015 was surveyed. We studied previous diseases, multimorbidity index. Blood pressure was measured daily for all patients. The criteria for arterial hypertension were considered blood pressure >140/90 mm Hg. or regular use of antihypertensive drugs. All patients get a clinical blood analysis, routine electrocardiography, Holter recording if medically required. We determined total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, bilirubin, creatinine, urea serum (analyzer — STAT FAX “USA”).

Results. The results of the study demonstrated: disability at the age of >60 years old, low multimorbidity index (<4 diseases per patient) and a primary damages of cardiovascular system. Arterial hypertension was diagnosed in 71,4%, coronary artery disease — in 98,9%, chronic heart failure — in 87,5%, post-infarction cardiosclerosis — in 16,7%, atrial fibrillation — in 14,3% of study participants. There was a low incidence of oncopathology (2,7%), endocrinological diseases (2,7%), diseases of the blood system (<1,8%); there were no mental diseases. Drug therapy was mainly represented by antihypertensive (72%), vascular (69,7%) drugs, antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents (67,6%). Also 27,7% of respondents took antibiotics, 38,4% — non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, 41,9% — diuretics.

Aim. To assess the role of remodeling of small diameter kidney arteries in the prognosis of progression of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis.

Material and methods. The study involved 97 patients with primary glomerulonephritis. The average age of patients was 37,27±1,2 years. The inclusion criterion was the presence of indications for renal biopsy. Renal biopsy was used to analyze renal tissue, in particular, for determining of tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF). Based on TIF sign, the patients were divided in 2 groups. The first group includes patients with TIF, the second — without TIF. Vasometry, a measurement of the renal arteries structures, was performed as part of renal biopsy. Parameters of internal and external diameters, wall thickness, intima, media, intima-media complex, vascular mass were analyzed.

Results. The influence of the size of the inner and outer diameters of the interlobular artery (MA) on the studied risk was established. Probability of TIF developing increases with decreasing of MA inner diameter (χ2-criterion =5,34, p=0,02) and increasing of MA outer diameter (χ2-criterion =7,77, p=0,005). Intimal thickness does not have a statistically significant effect on the risk of TIF developing (p=0,29), whereas media thickness has a high statistical significance in renal tissue remodeling (χ2-criterion =13,71, p=0,0002). A statistically significant effect of an increase in the vascular mass on the risk of TIF was determined (χ2-criterion =6,55, p=0,01).

Conclusion. We established that changes in the structure of small diameter kidney arteries in chronic glomerulonephritis occurs according to a hypertrophic type. Remodeling of small diameter kidney arteries plays significant role on the risk of TIF.

Aim. Syncopal condition in young people are a relatively frequent and poorly understood medical problem. Non-cardiogenic syncope is not sufficiently studied because often they are not raise fears among doctors or patients, and at the same time their causes are associated with many complex medical and diagnostic aspects. The aim of the presented work is to identify the most significant risk factors in the development of non-cardiogenic syncopal conditions, identify triggers and assess the relationship between these factors, the lifestyle and development of syncope.

Material and methods. The article presents the results of a descriptive research, including 1031 young people with a history of syncope episodes. The study took into account the presence of chronic diseases which could become a syncope trigger. External triggers (prolonged upright staying, stuffy room, and so on) were also determined.

Results. In a multifactor survey of students living in Russia and abroad, the more frequent occurrence of non-cardiogenic syncopal episodes in young girls compared with young men was found. The effect of longterm upright and oxygen corporal were most likely risk factors for syncope.

Conclusion. A significant correlation was found between the onset of reflex syncope and the presence of anemia and autonomic dysfunction syndrome. We proved the absence of a correlation between the level of daily load and the frequency of syncope conditions.

Aim. To identify the independent predictors of major cardiovascular events (MCVE) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in combination with the early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Material and methods. The study included 279 patients with GOLD 2014 2-4 severity COPD. At the first stage, we surveyed the potential risk factors for MCVE and the level of 25-OH vitamin D. After 12 months, all patients had a history of MCVE. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those who had MCVE during the previous 12 months, and without them. The risk factors for the development of MCVE, significantly differing between the two groups according to the results of a univariate analysis, were included in the logistic regression to determine reliable independent predictors of MCVE. We also studied ROC curve to identify the prognostic cut-off point.

Results. The group of patients who had MCVE consisted of 37 people with 40 MCVE cases. In patients with COPD in combination with the early stage of CKD, the level of vitamin D, the frequency of exacerbations in the preceding 12 months, the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), the score of PROCAM scale significantly influence to the development of MCVE. For the constructed regression equation, the determination coefficient is defined as R2=0,76, Hosmer-Lemeshov criterion =0,8. The area under the curve for the model =0,95. According to the results of the ROC analysis, it was found that independent predictors of MCVE in a 12-month period in patients with COPD and CKD (early stages) are: the sum of PROCAM scale points >56, the frequency of COPD exacerbations for the previous 12 months >2, GFR <80 ml/min/1,73 m2, the level of vitamin D <34,3 ng/ml.

Conclusion. Independent predictors of MCVE in a 12-month period in patients with COPD and the early stages of CKD are: the score of the PROCAM scale >56, the frequency of exacerbations of COPD in the preceding 12 months >2, GFR <80 ml/min/1,73 m2, the level of vitamin D <34,3 ng/ml.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder encountered in clinical practice. Each year, the number of patients with AF significantly increases. It is associated with an increase of life expectancy and frequency of cardiovascular pathologies. Treatment of AF remains one of the most difficult tasks of modern cardiology. Currently, only a few antiarrhythmic drugs are available for use in Russia. More and more new attempts are being made to create a universal antiarrhythmic drug with a high level of anti-relapsing efficacy and adverse effects. The accumulated information suggests that the tactics of management of patients with arrhythmias will be intended to improving the new surgical and interventional treatment methods with use of anticoagulants and antiarrhythmic drugs. The multidisciplinary team of specialists on AF treatment should include an expert (cardiologist) in antiarrhythmic drug therapy, an interventional electrophysiologist, and a cardiac surgeon — master the technology of interventional or surgical ablation. Effective interaction of specialists of various levels will improve the results of rhythm control and prevention of complications in patients with AF.

Cerebral vascular disorders are one of the leading causes of disability and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The article presents the currently available data on risk factors (RF) for the development of cerebrovascular disorders in pre-dialysis patients with CKD. Two groups of RF are identified: traditional and non-traditional (specific). Traditional RF, which include arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia, independently affect the cerebral vascular bed and get worse against the background of CKD. Specific RF is associated with features of the CKD pathogenesis. It includes increased blood levels of homocysteine, β2-microglobulin, impaired calcium-phosphorus metabolism, accumulation of uremic toxins and toxins of intestinal bacteria, anemia and other factors. In the present review, special attention is paid to specific RF and pathogenetic mechanisms of the development of cerebrovascular disorders in predialysis patients with CKD. Timely detection of cerebral risk factors may lead to the improvement of early diagnosis and prevention of cerebral vascular disorders, optimization of therapy for patients with CKD.

Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death for women in older age groups. For many decades, specialists have tried to prevent their development by the use of estrogen. The review of the literature presents current data on the effect of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) on the risk of cardiovascular complications. The results of the main randomized clinical and observational studies in this area, conducted over several decades, are discussed. We described the concept of “window of opportunities”, in accordance with which an improvement in cardiovascular prognosis can be expected only at the onset of MHT in women under the age of 60 years in early postmenopause (menopause duration <10 years). There are experimental and clinical data explaining the different effects of estrogen on the cardiovascular prognosis in women of various age groups and different duration of postmenopause. The recommendations given in the review on the use of MHT are based on modern international guidelines.