Background    Venous thromboembolic complications (VTEC) are a major non-oncological cause of death of patients with malignant neoplasm (MNP). This determines the high significance of antithrombotic therapy for the treatment and secondary prevention of VTEC in this population. During recent years, low-molecular weight heparins (LMWH) have been a “gold standard” for the treatment of cancer-associated venous thrombosis (CAVT). In the recent decade, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have become extensively used for the treatment and prevention of VTEC relapse in non-oncological patients and also for primary prevention of VTEC following orthopedic surgery. Taking into account the oral route of administration, the predictable and convenient pharmacokinetic profile, and the absence of need for coagulation monitoring, it seems possible to use DOACs for the treatment and secondary prevention of VTEС in oncological patients. A meta-analysis of 4 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) showed a higher efficacy of DOACs compared to LMWHs, however, with a greater risk of bleedings in CAVT. In two of four studies using apixaban (more than 40% of weight in meta-analysis), no increase in bleedings was noted.
Aim    The aim of this study was to perform a systematic search for comparative clinical studies with apixaban and to perform a meta-analysis to answer the question on clinical efficacy and safety of apixaban in the treatment and secondary prevention of recurrent VTEC in patients with CAVT.
Material and methods    The systematic search was performed in three reference databases, Medline (PubMed), Cochrane Library (CENTRAL), and eLibrary. The search was aimed at publications containing results of RCTs using apixaban for the treatment and prevention of VTEC in patients with MNP. A totality of 678 titles was found; 15 articles were selected for detailed studying, and 4 RCTs were included into the final analysis. The meta-analysis was performed according to the criteria of PRISMA guidelines. Relative risk (RR) was used as a measure of the effect. The meta-analysis was performed by the Mantel-Haenszel method using the R software. Statistical heterogeneity was evaluated with the Cochran criterion (I2); heterogeneity was considered significant at I2 ≥50 %, which was a reason for performing a random-effects meta-analysis. For this meta-analysis, the primary outcome measure was new VTECs (symptomatic or detected proximal deep vein thrombosis and/or symptomatic, detected or fatal pulmonary thromboembolism plus symptomatic upper extremity thromboses, celiac veinous thromboses, and cerebral veinous thromboses if they were included into the efficacy endpoint of the primary studies). The primary safety measure was major bleeding according to ISTH criteria. Other variables included major and clinically significant minor bleedings as well as overall death rate.
Results    During the systematic search, 4 RCTs were selected. The meta-analysis of the treatment and secondary prevention of VTEC in patients with MNP showed that apixaban was more effective than the active control (88% of LMWHs) in prevention of VTEC relapse. The RR was 0.59; 95 % confidence interval (CI): 0.40–0.86 in the absence of statistically significant differences from the control in the risk of major bleedings (statistically non-significant decrease by 21%), the sum of major and clinically significant minor bleedings, and overall death rate.
Conclusion    According to the results of the meta-analysis, the DOAC apixaban may be a drug of choice for the treatment and prevention of VTEC relapse in patients with MNO.

Aim      To study the relationship of echocardiographic right ventricular (RV) structural and functional parameters and indexes of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in patients 3 months after COVID-19 pneumonia.

Material and methods  This cross-sectional, observational study included 96 patients aged 46.7±15.2 years. The inclusion criteria were documented diagnosis of COVID-19-associated pneumonia and patient’s willing to participate in the observation. Patients were examined upon hospitalization and during the control visit (at 3 months after discharge from the hospital). Images and video loops were processed, including the assessment of myocardial longitudinal strain (LS) by speckle tracking, according to the effective guidelines. The equation [tricuspid regurgitation velocity/ time-velocity integral of the RV outflow tract × 10 + 0.16] was used to determine PRV. Patients were divided into group 1 (n=31) with increased PRV ≥1.5 Wood units and group 2 (n=65) with PRV <1.5 Wood units.

Results At baseline, groups did not differ in main clinical functional characteristics, including severity of lung damage by computed tomography (32.7±22.1 and 36.5±20.4 %, respectively. р=0.418). Echocardiographic linear, planimetric and volumetric parameters did not significantly differ between the groups. In group 1 at the control visit, endocardial LS of the RV free wall (FW) (–19.3 [–17.9; –25.8] %) was significantly lower (р=0.048) than in group 2 (–23.4 [–19.8; –27.8] %), and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) according to C. Otto (32.0 [26.0; 35.0] mm Hg and 23.0 [20.0; 28.0] mm Hg) was significantly higher than in group 2 (р<0.001). According to the logistic regression, only endocardial RV FW LS (odds ratio, OR, 0.859; 95 % confidence interval, CI, 0.746–0.989; р=0.034) and sPAP (OR, 1.248; 95 % CI, 1.108–1405; р<0.001) were independently related with the increase in PVR. Spearman correlation analysis detected a moderate relationship between PVR and mean PAP according to G. Mahan (r=0.516; p=0.003) and between PVR and the index of right heart chamber functional coupling with the PA system (r=–0.509; p=0.007) in group 1 at the control visit.

Conclusion      In patients 3 months after COVID-19 pneumonia, hidden RV systolic dysfunction defined as depressed endocardial RV FW LS to -19.3% is associated with increased PVR ≥1.5 Wood units.

Aim      To evaluate the incidence and features of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombosis in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) after novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Material and methods  Percutaneous echocardiography (pcEchoCG) was performed for 128 patients with persistent AF prepared for cardioversion, 36 (28.1 %) of whom had had COVID-19. In 3 (8.3 %) patients, the lung lesion area was 50–75 %; in 31 (86.1 %) patients, 25–50 %; in 1 (2.8 %) patient, less than 25 %. One patient had no lung lesion. Median time from the onset of COVID-19 to the patient enrollment in the study was 76.5 days. At the time of enrollment, the polymerase chain reaction test for SARS-CoV-2 was negative in all patients.

Results Patients after COVID-19 and those who had not had COVID-19 were comparable by age (62.5±9.2 and 62.4±9.1 years, respectively; р=0.956), gender (men 52.8 and 59.8 %, respectively; р=0.471), and risk of stroke (score 2.19±1.28 and score 1.95±1.35, respectively; р=0.350). Duration of the last arrhythmia episode was longer for patients after COVID-19 than for the comparison group (76.5 and 45.0 days, respectively; р=0.011). All patients received oral anticoagulants. 55.6 % of COVID-19 patients received rivaroxaban, whereas 62.0% of patients who had not had COVID-19 were treated with apixaban. Median duration of the anticoagulant treatment was longer for COVID-19 patients than for the comparison group (61.5 and 32.0 days; р=0.051). LAA thrombus was detected in 7 (19.4 %) patients after COVID-19 and in 6 (6.5 %) patients of the comparison group (р=0.030). In COVID-19 patients, the thrombus adhered to LAA wall over the entire thrombus length whereas in patients who had not have COVID-19, the thrombus had a free part that formed a sharp angle with LAA walls. In the presence of LAA thrombus, the LAA blood flow velocity was considerably higher for COVID-19 patients than for the comparison group (31.0±8.9 and 18.8±4.9 cm/sec, respectively; p=0.010). At the follow-up examination performed at 24.0 days on the average, the thrombus was found to be dissolved in 80 and 50% of patients after and without COVID-19, respectively (р=0.343).

Conclusion      In patients with persistent AF after the novel coronavirus infection, LAA thrombosis was detected more frequently than in patients who had never had COVID-19; it was characterized by mural localization and was not associated with a decrease in LAA blood flow velocity.

Aim      To evaluate the incidence of atrial infarction (AI) based on a retrospective review of 287 case reports of patients with supraventricular arrhythmia and a positive qualitative test for troponin I after pharmacological arrest of arrhythmia; to determine the target localization of lesions and diagnostic signs, that appear in acute ischemic atrial damage, by selective coronary angiography (CA).

Material and methods  A retrospective review was performed of 287 case reports of patients admitted to cardiology departments for atrial fibrillation paroxysm with narrow QRS complexes on electrocardiogram (ECG) from 2018 through 2020. At the prehospital stage, verapamil had been administered intravenously with no effect. In the hospital, the sinus rhythm was successfully restored pharmacologically in all patients. Then ECG, repeated qualitative determination of troponin I, echocardiography, and CA were performed.

Results 77 (27 %) patients of the study group had AI signs; 27 (9.5 %) of these patients had confirmed AI, and 50 (17.5 %) patients had probable AI. The existence of acute ischemic injury was considered absolutely confirmed in the presence of a combination of ECG changes, positive markers of myocardial damage, and reduced blood flow velocity in the left atrial branch of the sinoatrial nodal artery as shown by CA; in the presence of only ECG and biochemical criteria, acute AI was considered probable. According to selective CA, coronary injuries requiring an intervention were absent, and signs of the above-mentioned artery thrombosis were not visualized. However, the blood flow velocity was reduced to the TIMI II level in 9.5 % of cases; other atrial branches had an extremely small diameter.

Conclusion      Atrial infarction needs to be excluded for patients with supraventricular arrhythmias, a characteristic clinical picture, and increased levels of myocardial injury enzymes.

The publication of the commented work aims to attract the attention of readers and authors to studies of the function of the left atrium (LA), as well as to the issues of diagnosing its pathology. The purpose of the article is to evaluate the incidence of UTI in patients with supraventricular arrhythmia after arrhythmia relief with verapamil. The diagnosis of UTI was established on the basis of ECG criteria, a positive reaction to troponins, and data from selective coronary angiography. 

Aim      To study left ventricular (LV) hemodynamics in presence of decreased blood inflow to the heart as well as changes in myocardial content of energy metabolites in diabetic rats.

Material and methods  Diabetic cardiomyopathy is characterized by impaired heart contractility and by transition of cardiomyocyte energy metabolism fatty acids exclusively as a source of energy. This reduces the efficiency of energy utilization and increases the heart vulnerability to hypoxia. This study was performed on rats with type 1 diabetes mellitus induced by administration of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). The LV pump function was studied with a catheter that allows simultaneous measurement of LV pressure and volume in each cardiac cycle.

Results Blood glucose was approximately sixfold increased at 2 weeks. Heart failure was detected with decreases in ejection fraction by 27%, minute volume by 39%, and stroke work by 41%. Systolic dysfunction was based on a decrease in LV peak ejection velocity by more than 50%. Furthermore, the LV developed pressure and contractility index were within the normal range, while 1.5 times increased arterial stiffness was the factor that hampered ejection. The sum of adenine nucleotides was decreased by 21%, the ATP content was decreased by 29%, and also creatine phosphate formation was reduced in the myocardium of diabetic rats. Lactate content in the diabetic myocardium was increased almost threefold, which indicated mobilization of aerobic glycolysis. With the reduced preload, equal diastolic volume (0.3 ml), and equal blood pressure (60 mm Hg), the diabetic heart pump function did not differ from the control.

Conclusion      In type 1 diabetes mellitus, decreases in functional load and oxygen consumption normalize the myocardial pump function with disturbed energy metabolism.

Aim    The objective was to assess the correlation of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), HbA1c, and the duration of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with SYNTAX score (SS) II in patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).
Material and methods    FPG and HbA1C were measured in 398 patients presenting with NSTEMI at admission. SS II was calculated using an online calculator. Patients were stratified according to SS II (≤21.5, 21.5–30.6, and ≥30.6), defined as SS II low, mid, and high, respectively.
Results    37.7 % of subjects were diabetic. Correlations of FPG (R=0.402, R2=0.162, p<0.001) and HbA1c (R=0.359, R2=0.129, p<0.001) with SS II were weak in the overall population. Duration of T2DM showed very strong correlation with SS II (R=0.827, R2=0.347). For the prediction of high SS II in the study population, FPG≥98.5 mg / dl demonstrated a sensitivity of 58 % and a specificity of 60 %, and HbA1c ≥6.05 demonstrated a sensitivity of 63 % and a specificity of 69 %. Duration of T2DM (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.182; 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.185–2.773) and FPG (OR: 0.987; 95 % CI: 0.976–0.9959) were significantly associated with high SS II after controlling for other risk factors. Duration of T2DM (Beta=0.439) contributed strongly to variance of SS II, whereas HbA1c (Beta=0.063) contributed weakly.
Conclusion    Duration of T2DM is a very important risk factor for severity of coronary artery disease.

Aim    Chronic total occlusion of a coronary artery (CTO) is a predictor of early and late cardiovascular mortality and poor cardiovascular outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of all-cause mortality in CTO patients that underwent invasive treatment.
Material and methods    Patients between 2012 and 2018 with CTO in at least one vessel, as demonstrated by coronary angiography, were included retrospectively in the study. The patients were divided into two groups, an intervention group (percutaneous and surgical revascularization) and a medical group.
Results    A total of 543 patients were studied, 152 females (28%) and 391 males (72%). The median follow-up period was 49 (26–72) mos. A total of 186 (34.2%) patients in the medical group and 357 (65.8%) patients in the invasive therapy group were followed. The 5-yr death rate was observed in 50 (26.9%) patients in the medical group and 53 (14.8%) patients in the intervention group, and it was found to be statistically higher in the medical group (p=0.001). In multivariable analysis, heart failure (odds ratio (OR): 1.92, 95% CI: 1.18-3.14; p=0.01), higher glucose levels (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1,02-1.08; p=0.04), lower albumin levels (OR: 0.49, 95% Cl: 0.32-0.72; p=0.001), SYNTAX score (OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.05; p=0.001), and CTO (≥2 occluded artery) (OR: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.22-0.72; p=0.01) were independent factors for all-cause mortality.
Conclusion    In comparison to the revascularized group, there was an increase in mortality among CTO patients treated medically. Heart failure, SYNTAX score, albumin, glucose, and CTO (≥2 occluded arteries) were independent risk factors for all-cause mortality.

Aim    The aim of this study was to determine the association between the dipping pattern of BP and coronary artery disease in hypertensive patients.
Material and methods    A total of 356 hypertensive patients were included in the study. The results of ambulatory BP monitoring, echocardiography, and coronary computerised tomographic angiography were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups on the basis of their ambulatory BP monitoring: 1) patients with the dipping pattern of BP; 2) patients with the non-dipping pattern (NDP).
Results    Among the 356 patients, 145 were male (40.7 %). The smoking status was higher in patients with NDP (p=0.023). The statin usage in patients with the dipping pattern was higher in patients with NDP (p=0.027). There were no significant differences in the echocardiographic findings. 58.6 % of the patients without plaque formation had the dipping pattern of BP (p<0.05), however 84.4 % of patients with >50 % plaque formation had the NDP of BP (p<0.001).
Conclusion    The NDP of BP might be related to the increased atherosclerotic process in coronary arteries, and pa­tients with NDP might have an increased atherosclerotic burden for coronary arteries when compared with patients with a dipping pattern.

The anticoagulant therapy with a priority of direct oral anticoagulants is an approach to the prevention of recurrent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) that has presently proved its efficacy and is stated in international clinical guidelines. An extensive evidence-based database demonstrates advantages of rivaroxaban over other drugs of this class in secondary prevention of stroke in AF. Furthermore, these advantages are combined with the optimal safety profile. The rivaroxaban treatment may provide the most favorable prognosis due to the prevention of recurrent stroke in AF, reducing the rate of kidney disease progression, and slowing vascular atherosclerosis. An important beneficial feature of rivaroxaban is once-a-day intake, which is important in the context of a high incidence of cognitive disorders in this patient category, and may improve their compliance and, thus, help achieving the expected profile of treatment efficacy. Thus, rivaroxaban can be regarded as a drug of choice for secondary prevention of stroke in AF.

Thrombin is a key regulator of the homeostasis system. Also, it actively participates in progression of various systemic diseases, including atherosclerosis. There is a large amount of experimental and clinical data on the involvement of thrombin in the pathogenesis of ischemic heart disease (IHD). Thus, studying thrombin activity regulation is promising. Also, the question whether it is possible to use biomarkers of thrombin activity as predictors of cardiovascular complications in IHD patients is relevant. The present review focuses on major mechanisms of thrombin functioning, its role in development and progression of atherosclerosis, and available tests for evaluation of thrombin functional activity. Major clinical studies are discussed that evaluated the efficacy of thrombin inhibitors and protease-activated receptor antagonists.

This review focuses on the pathogenesis, most common clinical manifestations, and methods for diagnosis of damages to the cardiovascular system in coronavirus infection. The search for studies to be reviewed included publications of Elsevier, PubMed, and Web of Science resources by the key words “COVID-19”, “myocarditis”, “coronavirus”, and “myocardial injury”. The clinical presentation of coronavirus infection can include acute heart failure, myocardial injury, arrhythmias, pericarditis, venous thromboembolism, and microcirculatory dysfunction. Since symptoms of this pathology are non-specific, it is important to pay attention to monitoring of clinical laboratory and instrumental indexes for early differential diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. In all cases of parameter deviation from the normal range, cardiovascular complications of COVID-19 should be suspected. Measures should be taken for specifying the occurrence and severity of cardiac and/or vascular injury, and approaches should be developed for comprehensive treatment or prevention of these conditions.

This review presents results of clinical studies of senile asthenia (“fragility”) syndrome and chronic heart failure (CHF). Recent reports of the “fragility” prevalence in patients with CHF are described. The review presents specific features of pathophysiological pathways underlying the development of both senile asthenia syndrome and CHF; the role of “fragility” in the progression and complications of CHF is addressed. Senile asthenia syndrome associated with CHF is regarded as an independent predictor of unfavorable prognosis and high mortality in this patient category. The authors concluded that methods for “fragility” evaluation in CHF patients followed by risk stratification and selection of individual management tactics should be implemented in clinical practice.