Aim. To analyze the differences in detection rate of prefrailty and frailty syndrome (FS) in male and female patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Material and methods. The study included 387 patients admitted for elective primary CABG. Screening for prefrailty and FS in patients before surgery was performed using the questionnaire "Age is not a drawback".

Results. In the age group of 45 to 59 years, 25% of females and only 6% of males had signs of FS, while 25% of women and 34% of men did not present with signs of frailty and prefrailty. Half of middle-aged women and 60% of middle-aged men had prefrailty. Between the ages of 60 and 74, only 14% of women and 24% of men were not frail. Elderly women are more likely than elderly men to present with signs of FS (p=0,040). The symptoms of prefrailty in elderly patients were detected at equal rate in men and women (59% and 60%, respectively). All senile-aged patients presented with the signs of prefrailty or FS.

Conclusion. Patients with multivessel CAD present with manifestation of frailty in senile, elderly, and middle age. At the same time, middle-aged and elderly women with the higher rates of comorbid disorders require special attention.

Aim. To determine the characteristics of erythrocyte parameters, iron metabolism, erythropoiesis, inflammation markers in patients with heart failure (CHF) and anemia.

Material and methods. The study included 68 patients with HF to describe the characteristics of anemia (general group). Patients of the general group were divided into 3 subgroups depending on the serum ferritin (SF) and transferrin saturation (TS).

Results. Anemia in HF is not always associated with iron deficiency (ID), characterized by inadequate production of erythropoietin, increased levels of C-reactive protein and hepcidin. From the general group of patients, the following were distinguished: absolute ID (43%), functional ID (19%), and non-ID anemia (38%).

Conclusion. In the general group of patients with HF, anemia is normochromic, normocytic, characterized by high levels of C-reactive protein, hepcidin, and inadequate production of erythropoietin. Patients with absolute and functional ID do not differ in the main iron metabolism parameters and in general account for 62% (p=0,01). In these two subgroups, iron supplements should be prescribed at further stages.

Aim. To study the incidence and risk factors of cardiovascular events (CVEs) during an 8-year follow-up of a cohort of men aged 25-44 years (Novosibirsk).

Material and methods. The cohort study included 1415 people aged 37,33 [31,83; 41,92] years (Median, Me [interquartile range, Q25; Q75], of which 670 (47,3%) were men. Median follow-up period was 6,9 [5,8; 7,8] years. CVEs were identified using the "Registry of Acute Myocardial Infarction", fatal cases — from the "Medical Certificates of Cause of Death". The examination program included a questionnaire, anthropometry, biochemical studies. Statistical processing was carried out using SPSS (version 13.0).

Results. Thirteen CVEs were identified, of which 6 were fatal. Survival prognosis was more favorable in men without hypertension, with a heart rate (HR) <80 bpm. The risk of CVEs increased by 14% with an increase in fasting plasma glucose by 0,5 mmol/l, by 1,8 times with creatinine increase by 10 pmol/l (decreased by 29% with an increase in glomerular filtration rate by 5 ml/min /1,73 m²); 2 times with a heart rate increase by 10 bpm, regardless of other cardiometabolic risk factors.

Conclusion. Significant risk factors for fatal and non-fatal CVEs in men aged 25-44 years are hypertension, heart rate >80 bpm, increased fasting plasma glucose, creatinine levels (or decreased glomerular filtration rate).

Aim. To develop a program for early physical rehabilitation of inpatients after heart valve surgery and to evaluate its effectiveness and safety.

Material and methods. The study included 80 patients with valvular heart disease (VHD) after elective on pump valve surgery. Patients in the control group (n=47) underwent standard cardiac rehabilitation after surgery; patients of the main group (n=33) additionally, starting from the 8th day after the intervention, had 14-day treadmill training with the program selection, taking into account the results of cycle ergometry spirometry (CES). A week after the operation and at the end of the training course (median, 24 days after the operation), cardiac remodeling and functional status was assessed according to echocardiography and CE, respectively.

Results. For 7 days after surgery, patients of both groups were comparable. During physical training in the main group, there were no lifethreatening cardiac arrhythmias, episodes of ischemia, desaturation, as well as intracardiac hemodynamics deterioration. With a 14-day training, CES showed a significant increase in exercise tolerance (ET) in the main group from a median of 50 to 75 W (p=0,002), peak oxygen uptake (VO₂peak) from 11,7 to 13,4 ml/kg/min (p=0,001). For 24 days after surgery in the control group, there was a trend towards improvement in ET and VO₂peak, but without significant changes (p=0,09/p=0,08).

Conclusion. Early inhospital rehabilitation, including physical training of moderate intensity with an individual treadmill speed and incline angle, starting from day 8 after surgery, showed effectiveness and safety in the form of an increase in ET and VO₂peak, while not worsening hemodynamic parameters.

Aim. To analyze factors affecting the availability of hybrid cerebral and myocardial revascularization by synchronous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and carotid endarterectomy (CEA).

Material and methods. This retrospective study included 263 patients with coronary and internal carotid artery involvement undergoing PCI and CEA during the period from 2011 to 2017.

Results. The study revealed the following factors increasing the availability of revascularization: hybrid cerebral and myocardial revascularization, successful PCI using drug-eluting stents, postPCI TIMI flow grade 3, and radial access for PCI. The following factors reduced the availability: polyvascular disease >50% in three beds, prior PCI, left ventricular ejection fraction <50%, left coronary artery involvement, living without a family, staged revascularization, CEA before PCI, unsuccessful/complicated PCI with post-PCI TIMI flow grades of 0-1, residual SYNTAX score >9, emergency hospitalization and multiple emergency PCI of the coronary arteries in the long-term follow-up period.

Conclusion. Comprehensive analysis of clinical, demographic, anatomical, angiographic, and perioperative factors made it possible to identify predictors that affect the availability of hybrid revascularization.

Aim. To study the relationship between echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular (LV) function and carbohydrate metabolism indicators, as well as to evaluate value of speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) in the early diagnosis of subclinical LV dysfunction in type 2 diabetes (T2D) in individuals without clinical manifestations of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Material and methods. The study included 120 people of both sexes aged 45 to 75 years. Patients were divided into three following groups: 1 — with T2D (n=53), 2 — with prediabetes (n=20), 3 — control, without carbohydrate metabolism disorders (n=47). All participants underwent transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography with an assessment of standard systolic and diastolic parameters, as well as quantitative STE indicators. In addition, all participants underwent laboratory diagnostics of carbohydrate metabolism disorders, which included the determination of blood fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1c), insulin, and C-peptide, as well as insulin resistance index estimation.

Results. In patients with T2D, in comparison with the control group, diastolic function parameters were significantly different as follows: a lower value of early to late diastolic transmitral flow velocity (E/A) ratio, the ratio of early transmitral flow velocity to early diastolic mitral annulus velocity (E/e'), mitral annular velocity (e') and higher isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), as well as early diastolic flow deceleration time (DT). According to multivariate analysis, not only T2D, but also prediabetes was an independent predictor of diastolic dysfunction. The Simpson's LV ejection fraction was preserved in all study participants. In patients with T2D, in comparison with the control, according to STE, a decrease in global longitudinal strain (GLS), an increase in apical rotation, and also LV twist were revealed. In a multivariate regression analysis, the HbA_1c level had an inverse relationship with GLS and was an independent predictor of its decrease, and the T2D duration was a significant predictor of twisting changes, apical and basal rotation. At the same time, GLS and LV twist had a high sensitivity in determining the decrease in E/A, e'/a', e', as well as the increase in IVRT.

Conclusion. In patients with T2D without CVD manifestations, sub-clinical signs of diastolic dysfunction were revealed, such as delayed LV relaxation; systolic dysfunction with preserved ejection fraction was manifested by a decrease in GLS, as well as an increase in apical rotation and LV twisting, identified by STE. The severity of asymptomatic LV systolic-diastolic dysfunction was associated with the severity of glucose metabolism disorders and T2D duration.

Aim. To assess quality and adherence to pharmacotherapy (PT) based on the developed integrated indicators in a cohort of outpatients with stable exertional angina.

Material and methods. Using the expert evaluation method for main parameters of quality and compliance to PT, formulas were developed for calculating integrated indicators — the quality factor of PT (QFPT) and the rational PT index (RPTI). QFPT and RPTI are measured as a percentage; if the value is less than 50%, the parameters determined by them are considered unsatisfactory. In a cohort of 590 patients with stable exertional angina (men, 55,8%; mean age, 65,1±9,6 years), QFPT and RPTI were calculated. To assess the quality parameters of PT, data from patient registration forms were used, while adherence was determined using a 4-question validated score. After 21-month follow-up, primary composite endpoint was assessed: all-cause death, cardiovascular evens; an analysis of adverse outcomes was performed depending on QFPT and RPTI values.

Results. In patients with exertional angina, QFPT of 0% was determined in 8 (1,4%) people, while every sixth patient (16,4%) received unsatisfactory PT (QFPT <50%). In the majority of patients (419 (82,4%) people), RPTI was less than 50%. In subgroups of patients with RPTI <50% and >50%, there was a significant difference in the Kaplan-Meier survival curves, according to the log-rank test (p=0,006). The hazard ratio (RR) in the Cox regression model showed a threefold significant increase in the risk of adverse outcomes with RPTI <50%: HR=3,0, 95% confidence interval (1,14; 7,92), p=0,026.

Conclusion. The developed QFPT and RPTI make it possible to assess the quality of PT and performing a comprehensive assessment of the quality and adherence to PT, respectively. A relationship between low RPTI and a threefold increase in the risk of adverse outcomes in patients with stable exertional angina was revealed.

A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a fairly common mild cardiac defect that causes a shunting across the atrial septum. PFO is also a known risk factor for cryptogenic stroke. Much less frequently, PFO is associated with non-cerebral systemic embolic events. The article describes a case series of paradoxical embolism of the coronary arteries (CA), which caused myocardial infarction (MI). The presence of PFO was confirmed by imaging techniques. Subsequently, the patients underwent successful endovascular closure of the PFO. Thus, paradoxical CA embolism is a rare and underdiagnosed cause of acute MI. It should be considered in patients with MI and a low risk of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. However, in most cases, it is not possible to verify the source of the embolism. The significance of occluder implantation as one of the treatment tactics requires further clarification.

Anticoagulants are widely used in clinical practice to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. However, there are associated clinical conditions that require coagulation system monitoring due to an increased risk of bleeding. In clinical practice, cases of warfarin hypersensitivity due to gene polymorphisms are known. Taking warfarin in such a situation is often manifested by massive bleeding that threatens the patient's life. Sixty seven-years-old female patient was admitted to the internal medicine department of Rostov State Medical University clinic in March 2022. The day before, she noted severe abdominal pain, loose bloody stool. An outpatient examination revealed an increase in international normalized ratio to 9,42, thrombin time >30 sec. There were no signs of primary gastrointestinal pathology. According to anamnesis, on January 21, 2022, the patient underwent mechanical aortic valve replacement, in connection with which warfarin was prescribed at a dose of 2,5 mg/day. After establishing hypocoagulation, warfarin was discontinued. A pharmacogenetic analysis was performed, which established the carriage of polymorphisms of cytochrome P450 system genes, the homozygous mutation 1075A>C (CYP2C9 (*3/*3)), and the heterozygous mutation of the vitamin K reductase gene VKORC1 G(-1639)A (VKORC1 GA). The individual dosage of warfarin was calculated according to International Warfarin Pharmacogenetics Consortium guidelines, which was 9 mg/week. After adjusting the dose of warfarin, the level of international normalized ratio decreased to 3,61, thrombin time to 13 sec. The patient was discharged with recommendations to follow an individual warfarin regimen and monitor coagulation parameters. The presence of hypersensitivity to warfarin is not a reason for its complete withdrawal in situations requiring longterm anticoagulation. In this regard, it is necessary for the doctor to be vigilant when prescribing warfarin to a patient, understanding the causes and methods for diagnosing hypersensitivity to warfarin, and timely correction of its dosage.

The development of targeted drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), as well as their implementation into clinical practice has allowed increasing the overall and event-free survival of oncohematological patients. Currently, assessment of the efficacy of a therapeutic strategy in each specific case includes the evaluation of an acceptable tolerability profile. The subject of discussion includes cardiovascular complications induced by target drugs and ICIs. The review mainly presents the issues of cardiovascular toxicity (CVT) in certain groups of oncohematological patients (with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, multiple myeloma). The spectrum of cardiovascular adverse effects associated with targeted and ICI therapy in oncohematological practice is quite wide — coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, myocarditis, heart failure, arrhythmias, hypertension. The high importance of the problem of using targeted and immunosuppressive therapy dictates the need to predict adverse effects. The diagnosis of heart failure (one of CVT manifestations) is based on determining the decreased left ventricular ejection fraction during echocardiography, less often — during cardiac magnetic resonance imaging; global longitudinal myocardial strain is a significant parameter of preclinical heart failure, which is determined using the speckle tracking technique. To determine vascular toxicity, a special attention is paid to the vascular wall structure and microcirculation parameters — capillary density at rest, percentage of capillary recovery and perfused capillaries, stiffness index for large blood vessels, reflection index for small arteries, laboratory markers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction (C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, homocysteine, endothelin 1, vascular endothelial growth factor). CVT prevention presumes the determination of the risk group, correction of risk factors, and administration of protective therapy to very high and high-risk patients. One of the promising directions for preventing vascular toxicity is the use of sodium-glucose linked transporter-2 inhibitors.

The residual risk in patients with atherosclerosis, despite the its controversial aspects, remains an urgent problem of modern cardiology. The article presents a review of publications on the prevalence and significance for determining the prognosis of residual risk, which is currently interpreted as the risk of macroand microvascular complications in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD) taking standard therapy, with the achievement of optimal levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose. Based on available publications, we highlighted current views on the factors associated with residual inflammatory and lipid risks in ACVD patients, including those associated with heart failure and diabetes, and the prognostic significance of residual risk in such patients. An attempt was made to rationale the significance of determining the residual risk for secondary prevention of cardiovascular events.

The guidelines have been developed for internists, general practitioners, emergency physicians, and paramedics. The guidelines are based on expert consensus papers, accumulated clinical and scientific experience. The methodology for organizing and conducting ultrasound-assisted examinations is described in detail. Algorithms for diagnosing the main syndromes in internal medicine practice are presented to help the practitioner. Particular attention is paid to the methodology of ultrasoundassisted examinations. These guidelines will be of interest to doctors, heads of medical facilities, as well as students of medical universities.