RESEARCH ARTICLES
Aim To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of cardiac perfusion computed tomography (PCT) with transesophageal electrocardiostimulation (TE ECS) for detection of ischemia in patients with borderline coronary stenosis (50–75 %) compared to measurements of fractional flow reserve (FFR).
Material and methods The study included 25 patients with borderline (50–75 %) coronary stenosis as per data of computed tomography angiography (CTA) or coronary angiography (CAG). Later the patients underwent invasive measurement of FFR and cardiac PCT on a 320-row detector tomograph in combination with the TE ECS stress test. FFR values <0.8 indicated the hemodynamic significance of stenosis. Myocardial perfusion was evaluated visually based on consensus of two experts.
Results All patients completed the study protocol. Cardiac pacing duration was 6 min for all patients. Four patients required intravenous administration of atropine sulphate. PCT with TE ECS detected significant for FFR stenoses with sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of a positive result and predictive value for a negative result of 47, 90, 87, and 53 %, respectively.
Conclusion PCT with TE ECS in combination with CTA can be considered as an informative method for simultaneous evaluation of the condition of coronary arteries and detection of myocardial ischemia. This method is particularly relevant for assessing the hemodynamic significance of borderline coronary stenoses.
Aim To determine in a prospective study factors of progressive atherosclerotic lesion of blood vessels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Material and methods This prospective study included 124 patients with RA and suspected ischemic heart disease (IHD) and 30 patients with IHD (comparison group) aged 58 [52; 63] years. On enrollment to the study and at 3 years of follow-up, all patients underwent clinical and instrumental examination according to European and Russian guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of stable IHD (2013), including coronography as indicated. For all RA patients of the comparison group, risk factors (RF) were evaluated, including arterial hypertension, smoking, excessive body weight, family history of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia. The following laboratory data were evaluated: blood count; biochemistry, including total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), rheumatoid factor (RhF), cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF- α), were measured in RA patients once, at 3 years of follow-up.
Results Incidence of FRs for CVD was similar in RA patients and in the comparison group. Median RA duration before inclusion into the study was 11 years, and median DAS28 index score was 3.8. Incidence of dyslipidemia due to increased TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C was higher for RA patients at baseline. The LDL-C goal (<1.8 mmol/l) was achieved only in 3 (10 %) patients of the comparison group and 10 (8 %) RA patients. RA patients had higher levels of the inflammation indexes, hsCRP (0.75 mg/dl vs. 0.16 mg/dl; p<0.05) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (15 mm/h vs. 11.5 mm/h; p<0.05). In the RA group at baseline, atherosclerotic plaques with carotid artery (CTA) stenosis of 20% or more were found in 94 (77 %) patients; in 3 of them, CA stenosis was >50%. Patients with RA frequently had unchanged or slightly changed coronary arteries (CA) (47% of patients), and less frequently they had hemodynamically significant multi-arterial coronary atherosclerotic lesions (7 % vs. 57 % of patients in comparison group). At 37.5 months, 21 (23 %) of 94 RA patients had progressive atherosclerosis in CA and/or CTA; 12 (13 %) RA patients had only progressive CA atherosclerosis; 7 (8 %) had only progressive CTA atherosclerosis; and 2 (2 %) had simultaneous progression of CA and CTA atherosclerosis. Two groups of RA patients were formed, with the progression of atherosclerosis (n=21) and without the progression of atherosclerosis (n=69). RFs for the development/progression of atherosclerosis in RA patients included smoking, family history of CVD, and duration of the disease. Levels of lipids did not differ. Levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) were higher in RA patients with progressive atherosclerosis. No effects of the anti-rheumatic therapy on the progression of atherosclerosis were observed.
Conclusion Progression of atherosclerosis in RA remains in disease with low and moderate activity during the anti-rheumatic and hypolipidemic treatment. The development of atherosclerosis in RA is determined by lipid, inflammatory, and immune disorders.
Aim To study the effect of cardioprotective tactics on parameters of left ventricular myocardial perfusion and contractility as per data from single-photon emission computed tomography in oncological patients with signs of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity.
Material and methods The study included patients with oncological diseases (n=61) referred to polychemotherapy (PCT). For patients with signs of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity, a cardioprotective tactics was used, which included changing the PCT schedule and administering beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. For all patients at baseline, after the first four PCH courses, after initiation of the cardioprotective tactics and the next four PTC courses, the level of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide was measured and echocardiography and perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography were performed with assessment of left ventricular (LV) perfusion heterogeneity, systolic and diastolic function.
Results Following four PTC courses, signs of cardiotoxicity were detected in 13 (21.3 %) patients. On the background of the cardioprotective tactics, a further decrease in LV ejection fraction (EF) by –9±2 % (p<0.01) was observed in 4 (30.8 %) patients. In 9 (69.2 %) patients, LV EF increased by 4±2 % (p<0.01). Standard indexes of LV myocardial perfusion did not significantly change. In 7 patients, the cardioprotective tactics was associated with reduced severity of myocardial perfusion disorder, LV∆σТ = –1.37±1.29 (p<0.05), and in 4 patients, with reduced heterogeneity of myocardial perfusion, LV∆σН = –1.20±0.70 (p<0.05).
Conclusion The cardioprotective tactics prevents both further disorder of perfusion and decreases in parameters of left ventricular myocardial contractility in patients with anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity.
Aim To evaluate the effect of cryo-exposure duration and the use of the Achieve circular mapping catheter on efficacy of cryoballoon ablation (CBA).
Material and methods CBA of pulmonary vein ostia (PVO) is a major method for heart rhythm control in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Since the inception, the PVO CBA method has evolved; the recommended application time was changed, and the Achieve circular catheter appeared. We performed a retrospective analysis of PVO CBA administered to patients with AF in the I.V. Davydovsky Municipal Clinical Hospital from 2017 through 2019. The study included 100 patients with available clinical and demographic characteristics and remote results of the intervention. Three patient groups were analyzed based on differences in surgical techniques: group 1, Guidewire / 240 (n=31) with the cryoballoon placing on a guidewire and PVO exposure duration of 240 s; group 2, Guidewire / 180 (n=26) with the cryoballoon placing on a guidewire and PVO exposure duration of 180 s; and group 3, Achieve / 180 (n=43) with the cryoballoon placing on the mapping catheter Achieve and PVO exposure duration of 180 с. The follow-up period was 33.2±4.5, 15.2±6.1, and 12.2±4.1 months in the Guidewire / 240, Guidewire / 180, and Achieve / 180 groups, respectively. The intervention was considered effective when there was no relapse at the time of interview. A relapse of AF was determined as one or more paroxysms recorded on electrocardiogram (ECG) or during 24-h ECG monitoring; the “blind period” (first 3 months after the procedure) was excluded from the follow-up. Safety evaluation included clinically significant complications, such as phrenic nerve damage, hemopericardium, gastroparesis, hemoptysis, acute cerebrovascular disease, and formation of atrio-esophageal fistula. Effects of independent factors were determined with binary logistic regression.
Results In the Guidewire / 240 group, efficacy of PVO CBA for the maximum follow-up period was 74.4%, which was significantly different from the value for the Guidewire / 180 group (57.7 %, р=0.015). At the same time, the difference between the Guidewire / 240 and Achieve / 180 groups was statistically non-significant for a comparable follow-up period (р=0.144). Clinically significant complications were absent in all 3 groups. The independent factors that significantly increased the PVO CBA efficacy were the cryo-exposure duration of 240 s compared to 180 s (р= 0.018) and the use of the Achieve catheter (р=0.014).
Conclusion Decreasing the cryo-exposure duration to less than 240 s is impractical (in absence of Achieve mapping catheter) since it impairs the long-term efficacy of PVO CBA and does not influence the risk of complications.
Aim To study the effect of arterial hypertension (AH) in combination with frequent alcohol consumption on the formation of risk for cardiovascular death and all-cause death according to results of a 27-year prospective cohort study.
Material and methods This 27‑year prospective cohort study of an unorganized population of the Tomsk city (1546 people aged 20–59 years, including 630 men and 916 women) investigated AH prevalence and alcohol consumption (1988–1991) and analyzed the predictive significance of the effect of AH in combination with frequent alcohol consumption on the formation of risk for all-cause and cardiovascular death. AH was diagnosed at blood pressure ≥140 / 90 mm Hg. Frequent alcohol users were defined as those who consumed alcohol more than once a week.
Results The combination of AH and frequent alcohol consumption increased the risk of all-cause death 4.1 times compared to that for persons without these risk factors (p<0.001). This was true for all age groups of the total cohort (higher relative risk, RR, was observed for persons aged 20–39 years) and for men (except for the group aged 40–59 years). RR of cardiovascular death was 5.3 (p<0.001) for frequent alcohol users with AH. It was established that frequent alcohol consumption additionally increased RR of all-cause death for persons with AH (RR 1.89; p<0.05) primarily at the expense of persons aged 20-39 years. Prediction of 27‑year survival for frequent alcohol users with AH was 35.3 %.
Conclusion A combination of AH with frequent alcohol consumption considerably increases the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular death. Frequent alcohol consumption significantly impairs the prediction of 27-year survival for persons with AH by additionally (1.9 times) increasing the risk of all-cause death. Binary AH combinations with frequent alcohol consumption exert a more pronounced adverse effect on young men and women.
Aim To evaluate factors associated with unfavorable predictive characteristics of ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) as per data of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Material and methods The study included 52 patients with STEMI who underwent a primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Contrast-enhanced cardiac MRI was performed for all patients on days 3-7. Delayed contrast-enhancement images were used for assessing infarct size, presence of microvascular obstruction (MVO) areas, and heterogeneity zones.
Results Multifactorial analysis showed that independent predictors of MVO were type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) (relative risk (RR) 1.9, confidence interval (CI): 1.1–3.26, р=0.012), increased levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) (RR 2.04, CI: 1.39–2.99, р=0.004) and creatine kinase (CK) (RR 2.06, CI: 0.52–0.80, р=0.02), and infarct size (IS) (RR 2.81; CI: 1.38–5.72, р=0.0004). Construction of ROC curves provided the quantitative values of study indexes, at which the risk of MVO increased. For BNP, this value was ≥276 pg/ml (sensitivity, 95.7 %; specificity, 37.9 %); for CK ≥160 U/l (sensitivity, 74.1 %; specificity, 61.9 %); and for IS ≥18.8 % (sensitivity, 79.3 %; specificity, 69.6 %). Correlation analysis of risk factors for increased size of the heterogeneity zone showed significant correlations of the heterogeneity zone size with older age of patients (r=0.544, р<0.0001), higher concentrations of BNP (r=0.612, р<0.0001), CK (r=0.3, 95 % CI: 0.02–0.5, р=0.03), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (r=0.59, CI: 0.3–0.7, р=0.0001). Increased levels of CK (r=0.53, 95 % CI: 0.29–0.70, р=0.0001) and BNP (r=0.55, 95 % CI: 0.28–0.70, p=0.0003) significantly correlated with increased IS.
Conclusion Risk of MVO formation as per MRI data increased in the presence of type 2 DM and IS ≥18.8 % (р<0.05). Formation of MVO in patients with STEMI was associated with increased levels of BNP ≥276 pg/ml and CK ≥160 U/l (р<0.05). Increased levels of BNP, CK, and CRP were associated with a larger size of heterogeneity zone according to data of the correlation analysis. A larger heterogeneity zone was more typical for older patients. Increased levels of CK and BNP were also associated with larger IS. The correlation analysis did not show any significant interactions between the size of heterogeneity zone, IS, and MVO size (р>0.05).
Aim To determine levels of markers for endothelial dysfunction and inflammation, endothelin-1, E-selectin, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) and non-obstructive and obstructive coronary artery (CA) disease.
Material and methods This study included 32 patients with verified IHD and non-obstructive (main group, n=19) and obstructive (comparison group, n=13) CA disease. Endothelial dysfunction was diagnosed by photoplethysmography and videocapillaroscopy. Serum concentrations of endothelin-1, E-selectin, and TNF- α were measured in all patients.
Results Patients with non-obstructive CA disease showed a tendency towards more pronounced endothelial dysfunction (alternative stiffness index, 7.8 m /s [6.35; 9.08]; reflection index, 36.95 % [23.4; 52.65]; capillary density following reactive hyperemia, 54.33 cap /mm2 [48.92; 75.83]; capillary density following venous occlusion, 74.33 cap /mm2 [67.83; 93.00]) compared to the comparison group (alternative stiffness index, 9.05 m/s [7.08; 10.58]; reflection index, 28.25 % [23.35; 53.75]; capillary density following reactive hyperemia, 66.83 cap /mm2 [50.83; 78.67]; capillary density following venous occlusion, 87.0 cap /mm2 [77.58; 78.67]), although statistically significant differences were not found. Concentration of endothelin-1 was significantly higher in the IHD group with non-obstructive CA disease (0.45 ng/ml [0.28;0.65]) compared to patients with CA atherosclerotic stenosis (0.35 ng/ml [0.25; 0.38], p=0.035). Concentrations of E-selectin did not significantly differ between the groups (main group, 21.1 ng/ml [18.45; 35.03]; comparison group, 28.55 ng/ml [19.08; 35.01], p=0.29). In both groups, concentrations of TNF-α did not exceed the lower threshold of sensitivity (<2.3 pg/ml).
Conclusion Endothelial dysfunction and increased endothelin-1 in patients with non-obstructive CA disease along with inflammation may additionally contribute to the pathogenesis of IHD in the absence of hemodynamically significant CA stenoses. Too low level of TNFα in both groups prevented us from using it as a diagnostic marker. Further study is needed that would include a greater number of patients and a search for alternative markers.
Objective The importance of nutritional status in non-ST segment elevated acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) is not clear. In this study, the importance of prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in terms of in-hospital mortality in patients with NSTE-ACS and its relationship with the Global Record of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score were investigated.
Material and methods A total of 498 consecutive NSTE-ACS patients were recorded retrospectively. PNI for nutritional status assessment of patients with NSTE-ACS. PNI was calculated as 10 × serum albumin (g / dL) + 0.005 × total lymphocyte count (per mm3). The association between PNI and GRACE risk score was assessed.
Results Patients were classified as low-risk group (≤108 points, n=222), medium-risk group (109–140 points, n=161) and high-risk group (>140 points, n=115) according to the GRACE score. The mean PNI value was found to be the lowest in the high-risk group compared to other risk groups. There was a significant negative correlation between GRACE risk score and PNI (p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, PNI resulted as a predictor of in-hospital mortality independent of GRACE risk score (OR=0.909; 95 % CI: 0.842–0.981; p=0.01). PNI value in the high risk group for in-hospital mortality was determined to have significant predictive ability (AUC=0.710; 95 % CI: 0.61–0.80; p<0001).
Conclusions PNI evaluation is a useful and easy method to evaluate the nutritional status of patients with NSTE-ACS. Our study suggests that the PNI is significantly associated with in-hospital mortality, and GRACE risk score in patients with NSTE-ACS. This study is the basis for new studies to investigate whether PNI contributes additional prognostic to the GRACE risk score.
Goals Discrimination of the time course of functional recovery in early period following ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has prognostic importance. This study aims to establish the ability of the combined systolic-diastolic index (E / (Ea x Sa), for differentiating recoverable myocardium or persistent non-viability in subjects with STEMI.
Material and methods 77 patients with first acute STEMI were enrolled to the study. Serial transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) examinations were performed at the time of the admission (immediately after reperfusion), hospital discharge (5±1 days) and control examination (30±2 days). To assess the association between E / (Ea×Sa) index and myocardial recovery, two categories (Transient stunning and persistent non-viability) were defined on basis of improvement of left ventricle ejection fraction (LV EF) (Improvement was defined as an increase more than 10 % in LV EF at day 30 compared to baseline).
Results 55 patients (71.4 %) had improvement of LV EF and 24 patients (28.6 %) had no recovery of systolic function (30 days LV EF 48.78±6.1 vs. 39.31±8.1 %, p=0.01). The E / (Ea×Sa) index were significantly higher in the “non-viability” than in stunning group on predischarge and 1 month (1.61±0.64 vs 1.25±0.43, p=0.01 and 1.33±0.25 vs 1.14±0.21, p=0.01, respectively). The change in the E / (Ea×Sa) index in early period (within 5±1 days) was higher in the stunning group (26 %) compared to non-viability group (15 %) (p=0.033). E / (Ea×Sa) index was found to be a significant predictor of myocardial recovery in multivariable logistic regression (OR 0.91, 95 % CI 0.83–0.98, p=0.001). Roc curve showed that the cutoff value of E / (Ea×Sa) index is 1.29 with 73 % of sensitivity and 61 % of specificity (AUC: 0.71, p=0.01, CI: 0.54–0.89).
Conclusions Our findings suggest that E / (Ea×Sa) index is a strong predictor of functional recovery; the odds of recovery decreases as E / (Ea×Sa) index value increases.
Aim To analyze cases of idiopathic recurrent pericarditis (IRP) in the structure of pericardial diseases of various origins from patient visits to the Multidisciplinary Federal Center.
Material and methods A retrospective analysis of case records was performed for patients admitted to the V.A. Almazov National Medical Research Center from January 1, 2015 through January 1, 2020 for pericardial effusion of different etiologies.
Results For the study period, 4 981 new cases of pericardial damage of different etiologies were found. Among these cases, postpericardiotomy syndrome accounted for 4 360 cases and pericarditis for 621 cases. IRP was detected in 34 cases, which amounted to 5.4 %. Based on the study data, the estimated IRP prevalence in the Russian Federation can be 1.1 cases per 100 thousand population.
Conclusion IRP should be regarded as a new autoinflammatory disease, the prevalence of which borders on that of adult Still disease and should be addressed within the concept of orphan diseases. Current knowledge of the pathogenesis and data from recent studies demonstrated a great importance of interleukin-1 blockade as a leading mechanism for achieving remission. This has justified conduction of a randomized clinical study at the Center.
CLINICAL CASE REPORT
This article presents a clinical case of successful transcatheter aortic valve implantation in an elderly patient with critical aortic stenosis at the stage of systolic dysfunction with development of genuine cardiogenic shock. The role of transcatheter aortic valve implantation in the pathogenetic treatment of acute heart failure due to decompensated aortic stenosis was briefly discussed.
REVIEWS
Despite obvious success in the management of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, incidence of myocardial infarction, stroke, critical ischemia, and lower extremity amputation remains high. Results of clinical studies of new hypoglycemic drugs have demonstrated their high efficacy in decreasing mortality, incidence of cardiovascular complications, and progression of chronic heart failure. At the same time, prevention of atherothrombotic complications is essential for this patient category. Traditionally, the antiaggregant therapy with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is administered to patients with stable atherosclerotic diseases to reduce the risk. Attempts of reducing additionally the risk with ASA combinations with other antiplatelet drugs did not produce an expected result. Theoretical prerequisites suggested that anticoagulant supplements would increase the treatment efficacy in prevention of atherothrombotic complications in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Recently emerged oral anticoagulants can be administered at a considerably lower dose. In the COMPASS study, a combination of rivaroxaban 2.5 mg twice a day and ASA 100 mg/day compared to ASA 100 mg/day significantly reduced the total risk of stroke and cardiovascular death by 24 % and incidence of stroke and cardiovascular death by 42% and 22 %, respectively. Patients with peripheral artery disease showed for the first time improvement of prognosis, decreased number of amputations, major complications of lower extremity disease. Results of the COMPASS study confirmed the validity of influencing simultaneously the platelet and the coagulation components of hemostasis in patients with stable atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.
Current infectious endocarditis (IE) is characterized by changes in its etiological and epidemiological profiles associated with increased incidence of IE of undetermined etiology. This requires a search for ways to enhance the effectivity of diagnosis. Microbiologistics along with high-tech methods becomes decisively important for identifying the pathogen by studying cultures of blood and tissues from the affected heart valve. This determines timely diagnosis and treatment to be introduced to medical practice as a component of personalized medicine. The article focuses on the validity and features of microbiological (cultural), immunochemical, and molecular biological [MALDI-TOF MS (matrix-activated laser desorption/ionization with time-of-flight mass spectrometry), polymerase chain reaction, sequencing] studies.
ISSN 2412-5660 (Online)
