Statins are widely prescribed and the risk of adverse drug reactions of lipid-lowering therapy is actively discussed, including muscle symptoms. This review synthesizes the knowledge about the clinical aspects of statin-associated muscle symptoms, which is important for the practitioner. Potential mechanisms of their development, risk factors, clinical manifestations, treatment and prevention are described. Timely detection the side effects of statins makes it possible to diagnose and eliminate, which is crucial for conducting lipid-lowering therapy for patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Management of statin-associated muscle symptoms requires altering (reduced dosages, use of another statin or alternative lipid-lowering drugs) or discontinuing the statin treatment. 

This study focused on analysis of current publications evaluating safety of lipid-lowering therapy. Search for literature was performed on websites of cardiological societies and online databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and eLibrary by the following key words: statins, statin intolerance, lipid-lowering therapy, statin safety, and statin аdverse effects. The focus is on statins, in view of the fact that they are the most commonly prescribed, highly effective and safe drugs for primary and secondary cardiovascular prophylaxis. This review consistently summarized information about myopathies, hepatic and renal dysfunction, potentiation of DM, and other possible adverse effects of lipid-lowering therapy. The author concluded that despite the high safety of statins acknowledged by all international cardiological societies, practicing doctors still continue unreasonably cancel statins, exposing the patient under even greater danger. Information about the corresponding author:

Aim. To study the comparative efficacy and safety of clopidogrel and ticagrelor in the “double” antiplatelet therapy (DATT) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the early and late periods in real clinical practice, and to assess adherence to treatment.

Materials and methods. The study included 109 patients with ACS, who underwent PCI. Patients were divided into two groups: the 1st group (n=57) – received ticagrelor and the 2nd group (n = 52) – received clopidogrel in the DATT for 12 months. The frequency of ischemic events (death from cardiovascular causes, repeated myocardial infarction (MI) and stent thrombosis (ST)) and hemorrhagic events was analyzed during hospitalization, in 3 months, 6 months and in 12 months. Also, the reasons of repeated hospitalizations during the year were analyzed. The adherence of patients was assessed using the Moriski–Green scale.

Results. There were no significant differences in the ticagrelor and clopidogrel groups (8.8% vs. 11.5%, p=0.87) for the incidence of stent thrombosis (ST). In the correlation analysis, in half of all cases of subacute ST in the total sample (n=109) (in 4 (3.65%) cases from 8 (7.3%)), the main reason for its development was the lack of adherence of patients to DATT (τ=0,6; p<0,001). The frequency of minor bleeding significantly prevailed in the ticagrelor group versus the clopidogrel group (38.6% vs. 21.2%, p=0.047). No significant difference in the rates of major bleeding was found between the ticagrelor and clopidogrel groups (1.8% and 1.9%, p=0.52). However, the difference in the rates of fatal bleeding, including more instances of fatal intracranial bleeding (1.8% vs. 0%; p=0,34), allows us to talk about the best hemorrhagic safety of clopidogrel.

Conclusion. In this study, ticagrelor and clopidogrel were comparable in their effectiveness. Ischemic events and repeated hospitalizations in both groups are associated with the progression of atherosclerosis, confirmed by angiography; the development of stent restenosis, as well as low adherence, which is the main predictor of subacute TS. In addition, clopidogrel versus ticagrelor showed better hemorrhagic safety in the frequency of development of minor bleeding. 

The objective of our study was to define factors associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with hypertension (HTN) and preserved left ventricle systolic function.

Material and methods. Overall, 273 consecutive patients with HTN residing in urban area were included in the study. Patients were divided into 2 groups: the first – 60 patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF (33% men, age 62, 28 (10,02), the second – 213 patients without AF (33% men, age 59,37 (8,27).

Results. Stepwise logistic regression analysis demonstrated AF presence was associated with alcohol intake ≥ 7 drinks per week (OR 4,12; 95%CI: 1,04–16,35), low physical activity (OR 3,18; 95% CI: 1,32–7,68), higher hip circumference (OR 1,19; 95% CI: 1,08–1,31) and history of HTN (OR 1,10; 95% CI: 1,04–1,17). BMI was not associated with presence of AF (OR 0,75; 95% CI: 0,61–0,91).

Conclusion. Thus in our urban population with hypertension, AF is associated with alcohol intake ≥ 7 drinks per week, low physical activity, increased hip circumference and history of hypertension.AF prevention should include modification of lifestyle.

This Conclusion of the Board of experts is devoted to the analysis of the evidence base, the position in modern clinical guidelines, the efficacy and safety analysis as well as the options of combined therapy with statins and ezetimibe (Otrio, JSC “AKRIKHIN”) in various categories of patients in routine clinical practice in theRussian Federation. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) continue to lead in the structure of morbidity and mortality inRussia. Hypercholesterolemia is one of the main modifiable risk factors for CVD. Administration of HMGCo-A-reductase inhibitors (statins) remains the basis for the prevention and treatment of the main complications of atherosclerosis, but the achievement of target levels of LDL–C on of statin monotherapy in Russian practice among different categories of risk does not exceed 50%. Proportion of patients (up to 12%) does not tolerate statin therapy, which requires the search for alternative therapies. To optimize the control of the level of LDL–C, combination therapy with statins and ezetimibe is used. Ezetimibe is an effective lipid-lowering drug, an inhibitor of intestinal absorption of cholesterol, which was investigated in many international and Russian studies, the results of which have demonstrated good tolerability, safety and efficacy (reduction of LDL–C levels by 18% in monotherapy). It was noted that the combined therapy with low/medium doses of statins and ezetimibe effectively reduces the level of LDL–C by 44–53%, which is comparable to the effect of high doses of statins and reduces CV risk in patients with CKD and ACS. Otrio (INN Ezetimib) tablets 10 mg ( JSC “AKRIKHIN”,Russia) has demonstrated bioequivalence to the original drug Ezetrol tablets 10 mg (Schering-plough Labo N. V,Belgium). Broad use of a new generic product Otrio in combination with different statins will significantly increase the frequency of achievement of target lipid levels in patients with high and very high CV risk, including patients with chronic renal failure, type 2 diabetes and in patients with high hypercholesterolemia (LDL–C > 5 mmol/l) and, ultimately, reduce the burden of CV disease and mortality in Russia. 

On April 9, 2018, the national advisory board “Improvement of outcomes in patients with recent ACS: the place of PCSK9 inhibitors” was held in Moscow. Leading Russian experts in the field of atherosclerosis and lipid-lowering treatment attended the board. The purpose of the Board was to determine the place of PCSK9 inhibitors in the improvement of outcomes in patients with recent (less than 1 year) acute coronary syndrome (ACS). During the Board, three major aspects of lipid-lowering treatment were discussed: 1) issues in reaching the target levels of LDL cholesterol in real clinical practice among patients with recent ACS; 2) the results of ODYSSEY OUTCOMES study and their role in the improvement of outcomes in patients with recent ACS; 3) treatment with PCSK9 inhibitors in the management of patients with recent (less than 1 year) ACS in everyday clinical practice, the role of lipid centers.

This case report describes simultaneous approach that enables to replace the ascending aortic aneurysm complicated with atherosclerotic lesions of the descending aorta (the “shaggy aorta” syndrome) using frozen elephant trunk technique.