Aim. To create an advanced algorithm for predicting cardiovascular events (CVE) in low/moderate risk patients using a complex of traditional and new factors.

Material and methods. The study included 700 patients with Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) <5%, examined in 20092010. In addition to standard investigations, blood biochemistry tests, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and sphygmography were carried. In 2019, a follow-up phone call was made to participants to identify recent CVEs: cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, stroke, revascularization. The response rate was 79,6% (n=557; men, 100; women, 457).

Results. CVEs were observed in 48 (8,6%) patients. The risk of CVEs increases systolic blood pressure (SBP) >130 mmHg (odds ratio (OR), 1,9 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1,0-3,6)), hsCRP >2,3 mg/L (OR, cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) >8,05 (OR, 1,25 (95% CI, 1,0-1,6)). In patients with a combination of ≥2 lipid profile abnormalities, SBP >130 mm Hg, hsCRP >2,3 mg/L and pulse wave velocity >13 m/s, the probability of developing CVEs (including cardiovascular death) increases 3,55 times (95% CI, 1,32-7,67).

Conclusion. Levels of pulse wave velocity, CAVI, urea and hsCRP should be considered as additional risk factors for CVE in patients with low/moderate risk, estimated using standard scales. Combinations of traditional and new risk factors demonstrate a cumulative effect.

Russian anti-tobacco policy is aimed at reducing long-term morbidity and mortality from smoking-related diseases.

Aim. To assess the associations of tobacco control (TC) legislative measures with hospitalization rate for myocardial infarction (MI) and angina in Russia as a whole and in 10 Russian constituent entities, as well as to compare the effectiveness of anti-smoking measures in regions.

Material and methods. We analyzed data on hospitalizations of patients with angina (I20) and acute (I21) and subsequent (I22) MI, as well as chronic rheumatic heart diseases (I05-I09), for 2005-2019 in Russia as a whole and in 10 Russian constituent entities. We analyzed hospital admission rates for angina and MI to compare the periods before and after introduction of Federal TC law in 2013, adjusting for possible confounders and long-term trends. We used interrupted time-series design and Poisson regression model with calculation of rate ratio (RR) and 95% CI. Regions were compared by means of original TC law implementation scale (TCIS) developed based on the results of Russian TC policy evaluation survey in 10 Russian regions (n=11625). We analyzed the relationship between the TC law measures implementation scores and RR of hospital admissions reductions for angina and MI after the TC law by means of Spearman’s rank correlation (coefficient with 95% CI) and linear regression models. Statistical package STATA 11.2 was used.

Results. The actual trend of hospital admission rates for angina after TC law introduction demonstrates the greatest slope change from the predicted trend (without the law) (p=0,004); less, but still significant slope change for MI (p=0,049), and no slope change for chronic rheumatic heart disease (p=0,332). Results showed a 16,6% decrease in hospital admission rates for angina (RR, 0,83; 95% CI, 074-0,93) and 3,5% — for MI (RR, 0,96; 95% CI, 0,96-0,97) after the TC law introduction in RF and effects of various magnitude in the regions. Regions with higher TCIS scores, i.e. better enforcement of full TC package had greater reduction in hospital admission rates for angina (rsp=-0,627; 95% CI, -1,05−-0,199; p=0,004); with better enforcement of smoke-free policies — grater reduction in hospitalization rates for MI (rsp= -0,793 95%CI, -1,08−-0,506, p<0,001). Reduction of hospital admission rates for angina and MI correlated with the higher scores for help to quit tobacco use (rsp=-0,555; 95% CI, -1,098−-0,01, p=0,045), (rsp= -0,736; 95% CI, -1,12−-0,357, p=0,027). Also, hospital admission rates for angina and MI were associated with the changes in smoking cessation prevalence in 2013-2018 in the regions (β=-0,345; 95% CI, -0,67−-0,02 p=0,041) and smoking prevalence in 2019 (β=2,964; 95% CI, 1,28-5,92, p=0,049), respectively.

Conclusion. TC legislation can lead not only to immediate reductions in hospital admission rates for angina and MI, but also to longer-term results. These effects may be due not only to the introduction of TC law, as such, but also to the enforcement of the law, as well as the direct results of TC measures — the decrease in smoking prevalence in the population.

Active hydrogen inhalation (H(H₂O)_m) has powerful antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects. In recent years, it has been used in a number of experimental and clinical studies.

Aim. To study the safety and effectiveness of inhalation of the “active form of hydrogen” (AFV;(H(H₂O)_m)) in the rehabilitation program of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors during the recovery period.

Material and methods. This randomized controlled parallel prospective study included 60 COVID-19 survivors with post-COVID-19 syndrome (ICD-10: U09.9) during the recovery period, with clinical manifestations of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), who received standard therapy in accordance with the management protocol of patients with CFS (ICD-10: G93.3): physiotherapy and medication therapy with drugs containing magnesium, B vitamins and L-carnitine. The patients were divided into 2 groups. The experimental group (n=30) included patients who received hydrogen inhalation for 90 minutes every day during 10 days (SUISONIA hydrogen inhalation device, Japan). The control group (n=30) consisted of patients who received standard therapy. In both groups, patients were comparable in sex and mean age: in the experimental group — 53 (22; 70) years, in the control group — 51 (25; 70) years. Biological markers of systemic inflammation, oxygen transport, lactate metabolism, intrapulmonary shunting, 6-minute walk test, and vascular endothelial function were determined in all patients on the 1^st and 10^th days of follow-up.

Results. In the experimental group, a decrease in following parameters was revealed: stiffness index (SI), from 8,8±1,8 to 6,8±1,5 (p<0,0001); ALT, from 24,0±12,7 to 20,22±10,61 U/L (p<0,001); venous blood lactate, from 2,5±0,8 to 1,5±1,0 mmol/L (p<0,001); capillary blood lactate, from 2,9±0,8 to 2,0±0,8 mmol/L (p<0,0001); estimated pulmonary shunt fraction (Qs/Qt, Berggren equation, 1942) from 8,98±5,7 to 5,34±3,2 (p<0,01); white blood cells, from 6,64±1,57 to 5,92±1,32 109/L. In addition, we revealed an increase in the refractive index (RI) from 46,67±13,26% to 63,32±13,44% (p<0,0001), minimum blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂) from 92,25±2,9 to 94,25±1, 56% (p<0,05), direct bilirubin from 2,99±1,41 to 3,39±1,34 pmol/L (p<0,01), partial oxygen tension (PvO₂) from 26,9±5,0 to 34,8±5,6 mm Hg (p<0,0001), venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) from 51,8±020,6 to 61,1±018,1% (p<0,05), partial capillary oxygen tension (PcO₂) from 48,7±15,4 to 63,8±21,2 mm Hg (p<0,01), capillary oxygen saturation (ScO₂) from 82,2±4,2 to 86,2±4,8% (p<0,01), distance in 6 minute walk test from 429±45,0 to 569±60 m.

Conclusion. Inhalation therapy with H(H₂O)m in the rehabilitation program of COVID-19 survivors during the recovery period is a safe and highly effective method. Manifestations of silent hypoxemia and endothelial dysfunction decreased, while exercise tolerance increased. As for laboratory tests, a decrease in the white blood cell count, estimated pulmonary shunt fraction and lactate content parameters was revealed.

Aim. To assess the short- and long-term outcomes of myocardial re- vascularization (MR) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the context of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Material and methods. In the period from April to August 2020, 550 patients with CAD and ACS were included in the register. Emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (n=499) and on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (n=51) were performed. The follow-up period lasted 6 months. The pattern of complications after MR and effects of COVID-19 were analyzed.

Results. The studied cohort is represented by patients with CAD >65 years old. ST segment elevation ACS was detected in 23%, acute myocardial infarction — in 59,1%, in other cases — unstable angina. During hospitalization after MR, atrial fibrillation prevailed among cardiovascular complications (4,7%). During this period, 29 (5,3%) patients was diagnosed with COVID-19. In the short-term period after MR, 3 (0,5%) people died due to COVID-19 complications-. In the long-term period after MR, 4 (0,7%) cases of non-fatal stroke were registered, while repeated MR — in 7,1%. The all-cause mortality rate was 1,3% (n=7), of which 57,1% of patients died due to COVID-19 complications. In the subgroup of patients who underwent CABG, the greatest number of in-hospital complications was noted, where exudative pleurisy, atrial fibrillation and anemia prevailed. Of the patients with COVID-19, pneumonia in the short-and long-term posto perative periods was recorded in 48,3 and 61,3%, respectively. Pneumonia is associated with respiratory failure, cardiac dysfunction, and anemia. The risk of COVID-19 pneumonia during the entire follow-up period was higher in patients with ACS who underwent CABG (odds ratio, 19,4; confidence interval: 13,3-26,1; p<0,001). The overall survival rate was 98,7%.

Conclusion. COVID-19 infection in patients with ACS after MR effects pattern of postoperative complications. The proportion of COVID-19 pneumonia in patients with ACS in hospital, short-  and long-term postoperative periods after MR significantly exceeds that in the general population. The leading factor associated with COVID-19 pneumonia in patients with ACS is on-pump CABG.

Aim. To analyze quality of life (QOL) of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) in combination with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) in the long-term postoperative period, depending on chosen surgical strategy for concomitant pathology.

Material and methods. The analysis of QOL changes in the long-term postoperative period (12 and 24 months) in 116 patients with CAD and concomitant long-term persistent AF who selectively underwent biatrial (BA) or isolated left atrial (LA) ablation with simultaneous on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. To assess QOL, a non-specific Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Form Health Status Survey (SF-36) questionnaire was used. Patients were questioned in preoperative and long-term postoperative periods (12 and 24 months).

Results. All SF-36 parameters significantly improve after open surgical treatment in the long-term postoperative period (24 months) with both treatment strategies (BA and LA ablation) for AF. In the BA ablation group, 74% of patients did not have arrhythmia after 12 months, and only 38,5% of patients in the LA ablation group belonged to European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) score class 1 (p=0,001). After 24 months, a comparison revealed a significant diff erence between the two groups in arrhythmia symptoms (p=0,014), with maintaining the advantage of the BA ablation group. After 12 and 24 months, none of the patients in both compared groups had severe class IV angina.

Conclusion. SF-36 parameters were improved 24 months after surgical treatment of CAD and long-standing persistent AF, regardless of the ablation strategy. Elimination of angina symptoms and long-term maintenance of sinus rhythm can improve the QOL  of patients in the long-term postoperative period.

See “Neighborhood environment: the impact of alcohol and tobacco outlets availability on health of people living in a certain area” Antsiferova A. A., Kontsevaya A. V., Mukaneeva D. K., Drapkina O. M. in Review articles, pp. 84-91.

See Krivoshapova K. E., Masenko V. L., Bazdyrev E. D., Barbarash O. L. Osteosarcopenic obesity in cardiovascular patients. Controversial and open issues in Review articles, pp. 92­98.

Cardiovascular diseases continue to be the leading cause of death throughout the world and in Russia. Therefore, new possible risk factors for their development and progression are being studied. To date, information have been accumulated on unfavorable prognostic effect of elevated trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) levels on cardiovascular events, and the possible role of phospholipids (PLs) is being discussed. The aim of this review was to analyze the literature data on the potential relationship of TMAO and PLs with cardiovascular risk (CVR), as well as possible solutions to this problem. The search and analysis of publications was performed using Elibrary, PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar databases in the period from their creation to 2021. It was found that high TMAO concentrations can have pro-inflammatory effects, stimulate atherogenesis and increase platelet aggregation. An increase in the blood TMAO levels increases the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease, is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and all-cause death in patients with peripheral arterial disease and heart failure, and correlates with the extent of brain regions involved in stroke. The most important part in TMAO formation is taken by the gut microbiota, which metabolizes substrates, including PLs, to trimethylamine, which, when absorbed, is converted into TMAO in the liver. The analysis of available studies shows that the excessive intake of PLs into the gastrointestinal tract and the increased TMAO production are potentially interrelated with an increase in CVR. At the same time, PLs are currently used as drugs, in particular, as hepatoprotective agents. In view of this, large-scale randomized clinical trials are needed to study the CVR profile in patients receiving such therapy. Currently, other hepatoprotective agents are available that are devoid of such potential risks, since they do not contain PLs. One of these agents is ursodeoxycholic acid, which has proven its effectiveness and safety, including in patients with high CVR in routine clinical practice.

Heart failure is a severe disease with an unfavorable prognosis, which requires intensification of therapy and the search for novel approaches to treatment. In this review, the physiological significance of soluble guanylate cyclase-related signaling pathway, reasons for decrease in its activity in heart failure and possible consequences are discussed. Pharmacological methods of stimulating the production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate using drugs with different mechanisms of action are considered. Data from clinical studies regarding their effectiveness and safety are presented. A promising approach is stimulation of soluble guanylate cyclase, which showed beneficial effects in preclinical studies, as well as in the recently completed phase III VICTORIA study.

The article describes the urgent problem of ischemic stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. It is proved that ischemic stroke in combination with AF is the most severe in terms of developing stable motor and speech disorders and disability. The frail older patients, as well as patients with swallowing disorders and reduced medical adherence present a special problem from this point of view. The most famous clinical studies on secondary prevention of cardioembolic stroke are RE-LY, ROCKET-AF, and ARISTOTLE. Based on subanalyses of randomized controlled trials, direct oral anticoagulants demonstrated a favorable efficacy profile in patients with atrial fibrillation and stroke/ transient ischemic attack, but the level of knowledge on each of them remained different. A number of advantages of rivaroxaban for primary and secondary prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, including the elderly and patients with cognitive impairments and swallowing disorders, have been demonstrated.

Alcohol and tobacco consumption remain significant risk factors (RFs) for morbidity and mortality from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular ones, in Russia. The main risk factors contributing to NCDs in addition to traditional risk factors and lifestyle also include the neighborhood environment (NE). The term “neighborhood environment” describes the relationship between the area in immediate vicinity of a person's place of residence, environmental factors, social characteristics of the area, which can have both positive and negative effects on human health.

The aim of this review was to analyze alcohol and tobacco outlets availability as a factor effecting health of people living in a certain area.

It was demonstrated that a high density of alcohol outlets is associated with increased alcohol consumption among both adults and adolescents, with drunk driving and road traffic accidents, injuries, violent crimes, the risk of acute and chronic diseases. A high density of tobacco outlets is associated with an increase in smoking intensity among both adults and adolescents, as well as an increase of secondhand smoke, which increases the risk of NCDs.

The consumption of alcohol and tobacco is associated with a significant increase in risk of NCDs, including cardiovascular ones, and injuries, leading to disability and death. The effectiveness of measures aimed at reducing the consumption of alcohol and tobacco may be reduced due to high density of outlets selling these products. It is necessary to conduct studies aimed at assessing the outlets density and its associations with prevalence of RFs and health status of Russian population. These data will stimulate intersectoral collaboration for planning health protection strategy at municipal level.

See “Inflammaging in the pathogenesis of chronic non-communicable diseases”, Kim O. T. in Opinion of invited editor, pp. 54-55.

The study of osteosarcopenic obesity (OSO) in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in recent years has caused a dis-cussion on common pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, obesity, progressive loss of skeletal and muscle mass. Are these processes independent age-related conditions or comorbidities with common links of pathogenesis? The aim of this review was to analyze studies on OSO in patients with CVDs. We used following electronic databases: PubMed, Clinical Trials, Google Scholar, www.elibrary.ru. Based on this analysis, modern ideas on the etiology, epidemiology and pathogenesis of OSO in elderly and senile patients with atherosclerosis were described. The authors concluded that absence of standards for OSO diagnosis and inadequate clinical suspicion of specialists during routine examination is one of the main causes of its insufficient detection in elderly patients with CVDs. The results of analyzed studies allow us to consider the OSO and atherosclerotic changes as a single link of cardiovascular continuum. Eliminating the negative effect of chronic inflammation on human body should be considered as a key mechanism in the treatment of OSO and atherosclerosis. However, more research is needed in this area.

The review discusses the preparation of patients for surgery on the heart and other organs. We considered the importance of introducing a new stage of medical and cardiology rehabilitation — prehabilitation. The results of randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews and metaanalyzes evaluating the effectiveness of respiratory techniques and physical training during the prehabilitation are presented. Particular attention is paid to the involvement of patients in prehabilitation programs before the elective coronary artery bypass grafting. Methodological problems arising in the development of prehabilitation programs are discussed.

In recent years, researchers have increasingly noted that the development and health of cardiovascular system is influenced by both traditional risk factors (RF) and other determinants of human exposome — a combination of factors of the external and internal environment that affect genetics and epigenetics, as a result of which, one or another (more or less healthy) phenotype is formed. Exposome components have a continuous effect throughout all periods of life. Many RFs have a cumulative effect, and therefore it is important to start prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) as early as possible. The aim of this review was to consider various aspects of CVD prevention in childhood and adolescence. These periods are critical for the development of most behavioral habits, which maintain throughout life. Leading by personal example by parents and the immediate environment plays a paramount role in healthy lifestyle inclusion of children and adolescents. Targeted programs in kindergartens and schools aim at improving health literacy, early detection and timely changing traditional and non-traditional CVD RFs, diagnosis of genetic diseases involving the heart and blood vessels, prevention of sudden cardiac death are also important methods of CVD prevention in childhood and adolescence. Measures of population-based prevention are of great importance, including monitoring of advertising and media content, statutory ban of alcohol and tobacco sale, and the formation of healthy lifestyle.

Familial dysbetalipoproteinemia (FD) is a genetic, highly atherogenic disorder. The penetrance of FD depends on the patient’s lifestyle and concomitant diseases. Despite the fact that FD was described almost half a century ago, it is still insufficiently studied and is extremely rarely diagnosed. In actual clinical practice, physicians do not have clear understanding of clinical course and genetic basis of FD. The aim was to present the most complete, but at the same time a critical review with a modern view on FD. We analyzed Russian and foreign publications from following electronic databases: PubMed, eLIBRARY, Google Scholar. As a result, the phenotypic features and genetic variability of the disease were considered and the main issues of diagnosis and treatment of patients with FD were discussed. The data presented will help the clinician to timely suspect the FD, conduct a full range of investigations and prescribe evidence-based lipid-lowering therapy.

The review discusses atherosclerosis-related mechanisms of car-diovascular disease development, as well as the optimization of their prevention and treatment methods. Recent experimental and clinical studies have shown the important role of vascular endothelium in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Myocardial ischemia, activation of free-radical processes and impaired bioenergetics initiate a decrease in production of nitric oxide, which plays major vasodilator role. In this regard, the scientists is interested in the search for new drugs that can affect the main pathogenetic links of coronary artery disease. Statins are currently the drugs of choice. However, they are not always effective and have an ambiguous effect on oxidative potential of myocardial cells and endothelial function. Moreover, inhibition of mevalonic pathway for cholesterol synthesis is accompanied by a deficiency of coenzyme Q₁₀, which is the central cellular antioxidant that protects phospholipids of cell membranes from free radicals. Rationale of using coenzyme Q₁₀ in the complex treatment and secondary prev ention of cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery di sease, is discussed.

The second part of the review considers different classes of drugs affecting blood pressure in increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Additional possibilities are discussed on how to reduce the negative effect of sympathetic hyperactivity on cardiovascular system and improve the prognosis.

Changes in provision of elective care during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic require search for new forms of doctor-patient communication. Telemedicine technologies have become widely used for monitoring of patients, especially those with noncommunicable diseases. However, the introduction of telemedicine care is associated with a large number of medical, legal and technical issues. Rational use of telecommunication within the modern clinical guidelines will significantly increase the availability of high-quality healthcare and reduce the hospitalization rate for exacerbation of chronic diseases, as well as improve disease outcomes.