Patient Adherence and Duration of Continuous Treatment With Various Arbs in Patients With Uncomplicated Arterial Hypertension in the USA Based on The Analysis of the Truven Health Analytics MarketScan Database.

AIM: To discuss two aspects that can be used to improve the adherence to therapy in patients with arterial hypertension (AH): 1) which of the angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) provides the highest adherence rates; 2) how various factors influence adherence rates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An analysis of one of the world's largest clinical practice databases, Truven Health Analytics MarketScan (currently Merative MarketScan), was performed. The analysis included data on patients of both sexes aged 30 to 65 years who had been diagnosed with uncomplicated AH (at least once between March 1, 2012 and January 1, 2018) and prescribed monotherapy with one of ARBs. The exclusion criteria were heart failure and the treatment with two or more ARBs (simultaneously or sequentially) during the treatment period. Ultimately, the study included 717,099 patients with uncomplicated AH, who were divided into four groups based on the prescribed drug: azilsartan (n=4276), candesartan (n=6023), losartan (n=586,857), and valsartan (n=119,943). Adherence to treatment was evaluated by two parameters: duration of continuous therapy and medication possession ratio (MPR). The individual effect of each factor (specific ARB used for therapy, patient gender, age, initial ARB dose, patient co-payment per day of treatment) on the adherence to treatment was assessed using a regression analysis. RESULTS: The adherence to the ARB therapy was generally high. The MPR was the lowest in the azilsartan group and the highest in the candesartan group. However, the parameters that potentially influenced both the MPR and the duration of continuous therapy (patient's gender and age, initial ARB dose, co-payment size) differed significantly between the groups receiving different ARBs. The regression analysis showed that both adherence parameters and the duration of continuous therapy were higher in patients receiving candesartan than in patients receiving azilsartan, losartan or valsartan, when the effect on the adherence of other factors available for study (age, gender, initial dose of the drug, and the absolute size of co-payment for a day of therapy) was excluded. The lowest adherence to therapy was observed in the azilsartan treatment group (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The study provided data for comparing the adherence of patients with uncomplicated AH to the therapy with different ARBs. Further study of adherence to treatment will provide additional data that will allow an optimal selection of drugs for the treatment of AH in patients with potentially poor adherence.

[Evaluation of the Functional Reserve and Exercise Tolerance in Patients with CHF in Clinical Trials (Consent Document of the Editorial board of the Journal of Cardiology, the Board of the Society of Specialists in Heart Failure (SSHF) and Working Group "Non-drug treatment methods" of SSHF)].

Assessing the functional capacity and exercise tolerance is an important and widely used research tool in patients with heart failure. It is used not only in cardiac rehabilitation and physical therapy, but also for inclusion criteria and outcome measures in studies of drug interventions. This document outlines the scope, guidelines for the implementation and interpretation, and limitations of the methods for assessing the functional capacity and exercise tolerance in clinical trials in patients with heart failure.

Prediction of massive coronary thrombosis of the infarct-related artery in ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Aim    To identify clinical, laboratory and angiographic predictors for development of massive coronary thrombosis in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).Material and methods    This prospective, single-site study included 137 patients with STEMI (mean age, 66.5±13.2 years). Among these patients, 59 were in the group of massive coronary thrombosis and 78 patients were in the group of minor thrombosis. To identify predictors for the development of massive coronary thrombosis, medical history data, blood count and biochemistry, coagulogram, and angiography data were analyzed. A predictive model was constructed using the method of binary logistic regression followed by a search for the optimum value of the prognostic function with a ROC analysis. Results    The study showed statistically significant roles of total bilirubin, platelets, prothrombin ratio (PTR), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and presence of inferior myocardial infarction in prediction of massive coronary thrombosis in STEMI. The model sensitivity was 71.2 %, specificity 75.6 %, and overall diagnostic efficacy 73.7 %.Conclusion    The predictive model for the development of massive coronary thrombosis in STEMI based on laboratory and instrumental data potentially allows assessing the thrombus load in the infarction-involved coronary artery and determining the optimum tactics of percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with STEMI. This reduces the probability of distal embolization with fragments of the disintegrated thrombus and improves the prognosis of STEMI patients both during the stay in the hospital and in the long-term. According to results of this study, the prognostic model for massive coronary thrombosis in STEMI based on such indexes as the platelet count, PTR, APTT, total bilirubin, and presence of inferior myocardial infarction provides accurate predictions in 73.7 % of cases. Independent predictors of massive coronary thrombosis were inferior myocardial infarction and total bilirubin.

[Left ventricular global function index as a predictor of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome].

Aim      To evaluate the prognostic significance of the left ventricular global function index (LV GFI) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) using echocardiography (EchoCG).Material and methods             The LV GFI is an index that integrates LV cavity volumes, stroke volume, and myocardial volume. This study included 2169 patients with ACS (1340 (61.8%) men) aged 64.1±12.6 years from two observational multicenter studies, ORACLE I and ORACLE II. 1800 (83 %) cases were associated with increased concentrations of myocardial injury markers, including 826 (38.1 %) cases of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI). The observation was started on the 10th day of clinical condition stabilization and lasted for one year. EchoCG was performed with evaluation of LV GFI, which was calculated as a ratio of LV stroke volume to LV global volume. The LV global volume was calculated as a sum of mean LV cavity volume (LV end-diastolic volume + LV end-systolic volume / 2) and LV myocardial volume.Results The main outcome of the study was all-cause death (n=193); recurrent coronary complications (n=253) were analyzed separately. The only EchoCG parameter indicating an adverse outcome during the one-year follow-up was a LV GFI decrease to below 22.6 % with a sensitivity of 72 % and a specificity of 60% (area under the curve, AUC=0.63). A LV GFI <22.6 % was an independent predictor of all-cause death (p=0.019) along with age (p=0.0001), history of MI (p=0.034), and presence of heart failure (HF) (p=0.044), diabetes mellitus (p=0.012), and peripheral atherosclerosis (p=0.001). The LV GFI <22.6 %, (p=0.044), heart rate upon discharge from the hospital (p=0.050), history of MI (p=0.006), presence of HF (p=0.014), and peripheral atherosclerosis (p=0.001) were also independent predictors for recurrent coronary complications. Decreased LV GFI was associated with the risk of fatal outcomes independent of the LV ejection fraction at baseline.Conclusion      In patients with ACS, the left ventricular global function index is an independent predictor for all-cause death and recurrent coronary complications and may be used for risk stratification.

[The use of diuretics in chronic heart failure. Position paper of the Russian Heart Failure Society].

The document focuses on key issues of diuretic therapy in CHF from the standpoint of current views on the pathogenesis of edema syndrome, its diagnosis, and characteristics of using diuretics in various clinical situations.

[Empagliflozin and heart failure: position paper of the experts on the results of the online meeting and discussion of the EMPEROR-Preserved Trial].

At an international online expert meeting held on September 16, 2021, the results of the empagliflozin research program EMPA-REG Outcome, EMPEROR-Reduced and EMPEROR-Preserved were reviewed. We analyzed cardiovascular and renal outcomes during the treatment with empagliflozin in patients with chronic heart failure, regardless of the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The positive results of the EMPEROR-Preserved study are updated and their significance for clinical practice is discussed. Several proposals have been adopted that will accelerate the introduction of empagliflozin therapy into practice in patients with heart failure and overcome clinical inertia.

[Modern approaches to the organization of care for patients with heart failure].

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a wide-spread disease (from 7 to 10% in the Russian Federation) and tends to grow. Frequent, repeated hospitalizations of CHF patients are due to insufficient compliance of patients with the treatment and the absence of continuity in management of patients between the hospital and out-patient clinic. Developing a structure of specialized care could provide improvement of treatment quality, a decrease in the number of hospitalizations, and better prognosis. International experience shows that creation of specialized clinics for heart failure improves quality of medical care in CHF and decreases the frequency of re-hospitalizations and mortality. In the Russian Federation, such clinics were created in Nizhniy Novgorod, Ufa, Saint Petersburg, and several other cities. The article presents an expert consensus on the structure, functions, and equipment of departments and offices for patients with heart failure.

[Changes in the management of patients with acute coronary syndrome - have the disease outcomes changed?]

Aim        To analyze results of changing the management tactics in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in clinical practice from 2004 through 2018 expressed as improvement in prognosis.Material and methods        Results of two observational studies were analyzed: ORACLE I (2004-2007), which included 1193 patients with ACS (mean age, 61.1±11.69 years; men, 63.3 %) and ORACLE II (2014-2017), which included 1652 patients from 4 vascular centers (mean age, 64.61±12.67 years; men, 62.3 %).Results   Patients included into the ORACLE II study in 2014 were significantly older and the proportion of patients with diabetes mellitus was greater than in the ORACLE I study (14.7 and 22.6 %, respectively). After matching the groups by major clinical characteristics, it was found that introducing the invasive management tactics for ACS patients was associated with a reduced rate of all-cause death (from 8.2 to 6.1 % for one year), a tendency towards decreased number of coronary death cases (from 5.6 to 4.0 %), and a decrease in risk of recurrent coronary complications (from 17.4  to 7.7 %).Conclusion            Implementing the vascular program statistically significantly decreased the total death rate for at least one-year observation in comparable patient groups.

Antihypertensive Effectiveness of Perindopril Arginine and Indapamide Single-Pill Combination According to Body Mass Index: Findings from the FORSAGE Study.

INTRODUCTION: Overweight and obesity are increasing worldwide and are associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to examine the burden of CVD risk factors among normal weight, overweight, and obese subjects with hypertension, and to evaluate the effectiveness of switching to a single-pill combination (SPC) of perindopril arginine/indapamide for blood pressure (BP) control in overweight and obese subjects treated in routine clinical practice. METHODS: FORSAGE was a 3-month, multicenter, observational, open-label study conducted in Russian patients with uncontrolled arterial hypertension under previous antihypertensive therapy. Subjects were switched to the full-dose perindopril arginine 10 mg/indapamide 2.5 mg SPC. BP was assessed at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months, and serum creatinine and general health status at 3 months. The present post hoc analysis of the FORSAGE study results explored the effectiveness of perindopril arginine/indapamide SPC in patients with arterial hypertension with regard to baseline body mass index (BMI): normal (< 25 kg/m2), overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30 kg/m2), and obese (≥ 30 kg/m2). RESULTS: A total of 1969 patients were recruited, but BMI data were available for 1963 patients, two-thirds of whom were women. The distribution of BMI groups was as follows: < 25 kg/m2 (16.7%), overweight (48.7%), and obese (34.7%). Overweight or obese patients had more concomitant diseases such as diabetes mellitus or history of stroke, higher BP levels, serum cholesterol and creatinine, and lower glomerular filtration rates. Switching to perindopril arginine/indapamide SPC was associated with a statistically significant reduction in BP as early as the second week of treatment. At 3 months, systolic blood pressure (SBP)/diastolic blood pressure (DBP) had decreased significantly by 39.3/18.8 mmHg in the normal BMI group, 39.8/18.8 mmHg in overweight, and 39.4/18.7 mmHg in obese groups. The magnitude of the BP reduction was independent of BMI. Achievement of target BP (< 140/90 mmHg) was good in all groups, but lower in obese subjects (70.9%) than in overweight subjects (78.1%) or those with a normal BMI (81.8%) (P < 0.0001 for both comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: In subjects with uncontrolled BP on existing antihypertensive therapy, switching to perindopril arginine 10 mg/indapamide 2.5 mg was associated with statistically significant decreases in BP and higher rates of target BP achievement in all BMI groups, including more than 70% of overweight and obese patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN ID, ISRCTN14315146 (retrospectively registered 18/11/2019).

[Evaluation of the antianginal effectiveness of trimetazidine in a new dosage form for a single dose, depending on the region of the Russian Federation. ODA trial results].

The goal evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment with the new TMZ OD dosage form in different regions of the Russian Federation and regional differences in the clinical characteristics of patients with coronary artery disease included in the observation, the nature of their therapy, the presence and degree of correction of modifiable risk factors in real clinical practice. MATERIAL: Used database research ODA (Evaluation of the effectiveness and therapeutic response to Preductal OD 80 mg in everyday practical use for the treatment of stable angina), which was conducted in 56 cities of the Russian Federation. The analysis was carried out in the Central, North-West, Volga districts and regions united by the territorial principle - Southern + North Caucasian + Crimea + Sevastopol and Ural + Siberian + Far Eastern. RESULTS: By region, there were no differences in the ratio of men and women included in the observation, the number of smoking patients (about 15%), overweight (about 80% of patients), arterial hypertension (exceeding 85%),dyslipidemia (over 90%), and atrial fibrillation (met at each 8-10 included patient). The proportion of patients older than 65 years was greater in the Central, North-West and Ural regions. Unfavorable heredity in coronary artery disease is more common in the Southern, Central and Ural regions. More than 2/3 of the patients had low physical activity, and in the South - their number reached ¾ of all included in the observation. The largest number of patients with diabetes was in the Central and North-West regions (every fourth patient), in the Ural region every fifth. The lowest frequency of statin prescribing was in the Volga region. The smallest number of those receiving RAS inhibitors was in the North-West, Ural and South regions. Beta blockers took more than 80% of patients. Only 35% of patients had a target systolic blood pressure. The smallest proportion of people with target blood pressure values was in the NorthWest and South regions. Adding TMZ OD to therapy or replacing previous therapy with trimetazidine on TMZ OD in all regions resulted in a significant (p <0.001) decrease in the incidence of angina attacks by as early as 1 month of therapy and the antianginal effect increased by the third month of treatment. By the third month of treatment, the average frequency of angina attacks was the lowest in the North-Western and Ural regions (significantly lower than even in the Central region) and remained higher only in the Volga region compared to the Central, North-Western and Ural regions. During follow-up, treatment compliance increased significantly in all regions. CONCLUSION: The fight against major risk factors remains insufficient and efforts should be made to change the situation in all regions of the Russian Federation. The inclusion of trimetazidine in therapy in the new TMZ OD dosage form allows to obtain a pronounced antianginal effect and increase adherence to therapy. Low adherence can be overcome by careful observation and closer contact between doctors and patients.

[Antihypertensive Effect of Switching to a Fixed Perindopril/Amlodipine Combination in Patients Ineffectively Treated by Free Sartan-Containing Combinations. Results of the AVANGARD Study].

Finding the best options for combined antihypertensive therapy is one of the main tasks to be solved for achieving target blood pressure (BP) and, accordingly, reduction of the risk of complications in patients with arterial hypertension (AH).Purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the perindopril arginine/amlodipine fixed combination in patients with 1-2 degree hypertension not achieving BP control on previous therapy with sartan-containing free combinations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the multicenter open uncontrolled observational program AVANGARD 203 doctors in 53 cities of the Russian Federation included 658 patients who had not achieved target BP on therapy with two drugs, one of which was sartan (sartan with diuretic, calcium antagonist, ß-blocker, or moxonidine in 49%, 33%, 17%, and 1% of cases, respectively). This therapy was replaced with a fixed combination of perindopril arginine/amlodipine. Duration of observation was 3 months. RESULTS: On therapy with perindopril arginine/amlodipine, BP decreased 159.9±8.5/92.1±7.4 to 125.8±7.1/77.4±5.5 mm Hg. Target BP <140/90 mm Hg was achieved in 93.5% of patients (office measurement); target BP <135/85 mm Hg - in 83.5% of patients (home measurement). Mean 24-hour BP variability decreased from 4.4±2.9/3.0±2.0 to 3.0±2.2/2.2±1.7 mm Hg (p<0.01). Number of patients complaining of headache decreased by 2.9 times, dizziness - by 2.8 times, fatigue - by 2.3 times, irritability - by 3.0 times, sleep disturbances - by 2.3 times, dyspnea - by 3.8 times, palpitations - by 2.7 times, angina pectoris attacks - by 4.6 times. Dose of perindopril arginine/amlodipine was 10/5 mg in 36.6%, and 10/10 mg in 28.3% of cases, respectively. Number ofparticipants who dropped out ofthe study prematurely was 11 (1.6%) (1 because of adverse event). Adverse events were observed in 4 more patients (2 [0.14%] - edema of lower extremities, and 2 [0.14%] -cough), but they did not require the withdrawal of therapy. CONCLUSION: In case of ineffective combination therapy containing sartans, transfer of patients to a fixed combination of perindopril and amlodipine should be considered.

Gender and Age Characteristics of Mortality From Diseases of the Circulatory System of the Moscow region. Data 2016 year.

Contribution of diseases of the circulatory system to total mortality of the population remains high. Therefore it is necessary to study factors with most substantial impact on regional morbidity and mortality for elaboration of targeted programs of preventive measures aimed at definite population groups.Purpose of this study was to perform analysis of differences of mortality from cardiovascular diseases (VVD) of Moscow region inhabitants of various gender and age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on 2016 mortality of Federal Service of State Statistics (Rosstat) and territorial service of state statistics of the Moscow Region were used in this analysis. Analysis was conducted for men and women divided in age groups ≤50, 50-59, 60-69, and ≥50 years. Diseases were classified in accordance with 10th Revision of International Statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD10). RESULTS: Population of the Moscow Region territory on January 1, 2016, amounted 7 318 647 (men 46.2, women 53.8 %, persons of working age 58.9 %). Contribution in the mortality structure of chronic ischemic heart disease (IHD) and cerebro-vascular diseases in women was greater than in men (80 vs. 68 %, respectively, р<0.0001). Contribution of acute IHD, IHD unrelated heart diseases, and vascular diseases in men was significantly greater than in women (30 vs. 18 %, respectively, р<0.0001). In the age group over working age mortality indexes were substantially higher compared with those in working age. In men these indexes became 10-20 times while in women - 30-130 times higher. CONCLUSION: Despite positive dynamics of mortality from diseases of the circulatory system (45.3 % lowering from 2008 to 2016) it is necessary to strengthen efforts directed to correction risk factors of IHD and implementation of timely diagnostics and correction of IHD unrelated diseases.

[Position Paper. The role of iron deficiency in patients with chronic heart failure and current corrective approaches].

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[Risk of Stroke After Exacerbation of Ischemic Heart Disease: Data of 3­Years Follow-up].

PURPOSE: to analyze possible associations of clinical and genetic factors with development of ischemic stroke after exacerbation of ischemic heart disease (IHD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Russian multicenter study aimed at assessment of risk of unfavorable outcomes after exacerbation of IHD "Exacerbation of IHD: logical probabilistic ways to course prognostication for optimization of treatment" (meaning of Cyrillic acronym - oracle) was conducted in 16 centers of 7 cities in Russia. We included into the study 1 208 patients with unstable angina and ST-elevation or non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MI). Data on outcomes were known for 1 193 patients, 15 patients were lost for follow-up. RESULTS: Mean duration of follow-up was 644±14.45 (4-1 995) days. Shortest, longest, and mean time before development of stroke was 22, 1433 and 389±56.6 days after inclusion. Patients with strokes were older, more often had history of IHD prior to index hospitalization, arterial blood pressure level compatible with stage 3 arterial hypertension, less often were smokers, and more often had MI recurrences or repetitive episodes of severe ischemia during the index hospitalization. Patients also more often had documented atrial fibrillation during hospitalization, and lower level of glomerular filtration rate. Of studied genetic markers carriage of A allele of polymorphic marker G (-1082) A of interleukin-10 gene was significantly associated with risk of stroke development. Using linear regression analysis, we constructed a model of estimation of the stroke development risk. Comparison of diagnostic value of different scales for stroke risk assessment showed that area under the curve was 0.656, 0.686, and 0.756 for the GRACE, CHA2DS2­VASc, and ORACLE scores, respectively.

[Family History of Cardiovascular Disease in Patients With Early Development of Acute Coronary Syndrome].

The aim of the study was to analyze clinical features of patients with premature acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in relation to family history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 2832 patients included in ORACUL 1 and ORACUL 2 multicenter observational trials 512 pts who developed premature ACS (≤55 years for men, ≤60 years for women) and had known family history and LDL level were selected for this study. Of these patients 297 had positive family history (51 with FH, 246 no FH), 215 had negative family history. RESULTS: Among patients with positive family history there were more women (31 vs 20.9 %), while among patients with negative family history there were more men (79.1 vs 69 %). The fact of regular alcohol consumption was significantly more frequently observed among patients with positive family history but without FH, compared to patients with positive family history with FH (69.6 vs 47.1 %). Women with positive family history smoked more frequently than females with negative family history (51.1 vs 31.1 %). Among patients with negative family history compared with patients with positive family history there were more people who at admission had hyperglycemia exceeding 11.1 mmol / l (10.3 vs 4.4 %). Multiple vessel disease and coronary calcinosis were present in 73.2 and 24.7 %, respectively, of patients with positive family history, and in 56.9 and 9.8 %, respectively, of those with negative family history. Among patients with positive family history multivessel disease was more frequent in the subgroup with FH, while coronary calcinosis was more frequent in the subgroup without FH. CONCLUSION: Thus, premature development of ACS might be associated not only with genetic factors but also with family history ("inheritance") of adverse habits. Herewith coronary calcinosis is more prevalent in patients with FH.

[Evaluation of the pharmacoeconomic efficacy of prestance in the treatment of hypertensive patients on the basis of the results of the POTENTIAL program]. / Otsenka farmakoekonomicheskoi effektivnosti preparata prestans pri lechenii bol'nykh arterial'noi gipertoniei na osnove rezul'tatov programmy POTENTsIAL.

AIM: To pharmacoeconomically estimate the use of a fixed-dose combination of perindopril and amlodipine in the treatment of hypertensive patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A pharmacoeconomic study was conducted on the basis of the Russian postmarketing observational open program POTENTIAL, which included the estimation of direct and indirect costs associated with the addition of a fixed-dose combination of perindopril and amlodipine to conventional therapy for hypertension in patients who had not achieved adequate blood pressure (BP) control. Cost-difference, cost-effectiveness, and budget-impact analyses were carried out. RESULTS: The addition of prestance to conventional therapy for hypertension can reduce total costs by 5.-5.8 times, direct costs required to achieve 1% of patients with adequate BP control by 20.5-42.1 times, and direct costs to improve a patient's status by one visual analogue scale score by 1.03-2.11 times. Within a 5-year horizon, the administration of prestance can decrease the cost of therapy for high BP and related strokes by 1.39-1.46 times. CONCLUSION: Due its high efficacy, prestance (amlodipine + perindopril) is a pharmacoeconomically preferred alternative only to the conventional therapy for hypertension even if the least costly generics are used, in both the short and medium term.

[Causes of Angina Pectoris in Survivors of Myocardial Infarction and the Role of Optimization of Antianginal Therapy. Data of the LINKOR Study E..]

AIM: to analyze causes of attacks of angina pectoris and assess impact of optimization of antianginal therapy on frequency of attacks provoked by various factors. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We analyzed diaries of 1226 survivors of myocardial infarction (MI) which occurred within 12months before inclusion in the LINKOR program. Causes of pain and their changes with correction of antianginal therapy were registered during 16 weeks of follow-up. RESULTS: Participants of the study indicated the following factors as causes of pain: physical exertion (74.9%), psycho-emotional stress (52.6%), meteorological factors (25.9%), elevation of arterial pressure(AP) (18.8%), meals (12.1%), alcohol intake (4.7%), sexual activity (4.4%). Attacks at rest in wakeful state and during sleep were reported by 4.5 and 4.5% of patients, respectively. Prescription of ivabradine and in some cases correction of antihypertensive therapy led to double reduction of the number of patients who indicated physical exertion as a cause of angina. Numbers of patients with attacks caused by meals, AP elevation, psycho-emotional stress, alcohol intake, unfavorable meteorological conditions, and sexual activity decreased by 83.2, 75, 63.3, 63.6, 61.3, and 60.9%, respectively. Numbers of patients with attacks at rest in wakeful state, and at night decreased by 79.8 and 69%, respectively. More than two thirds of patients achieved class I of angina. CONCLUSION: Optimization of antianginal therapy directed to lowering or myocardial oxygen consumption leads to reduction of frequency of attacks of pain caused by various triggers. This improves quality of life, increases everyday activity, secures independence, and loweres risk of depression and anxiety.

[How to Increase the Effectiveness of Antihypertensive Therapy in Clinical Practice: Results of the Russian Observational Program FORSAZH].

im of the study - to evaluate the possibility of increasing the effectiveness of antihypertensive therapy by simplifying regimens, improving knowledge and practical skills of the doctors on the use of modern tactical approaches to treatment as well as patients education methods of measuring blood pressure (BP), the principles of a healthy lifestyle and explain the need to follow the prescribing physician. RESULTS: Post-marketing observational discovery program FORSAZH held in 29 cities of the Russian Federation. Participation in the program received 442 physician (internists and general practitioners), which included 1969 patients with prior failure of combination antihypertensive therapy. Patients in 86% of cases took the free combination, 14% - fixed combinations of drugs. The change of the treatment on reception of a preparation containing a fixed combination of perindopril/indapamide (10 mg/2.5 mg) after 3 months led to decrease in systolic blood pressure by an average of 39.5 mm Hg, diastolic - 18.7 per mm Hg. The frequency of achieving the target BP <140 mm Hg and 90 it was 76%. Marked reduction in BP and frequency to achieve the target BP is not dependent on additional training of physicians and patients, the use of prior therapy in free or fixed combination, but depended on the initial degree of increase in BP and duration of therapy. Predictors of failure to achieve target BP were age, male gender, low initial adherence, good health, a higher baseline BP, elevated cholesterol levels, body weight, heart rate and decreased glomerular filtration rate. Adherence to therapy patients (on a scale of Morisky-Green) and health assessment on a visual analog scale significantly increased. This tactic has been a change of therapy is not only effective but also safe. Adverse events were reported in 28 patients (1.4% of the total number of observed cases) and only 1 case required dose reduction due to development of clinically manifested hypotension. CONCLUSION: In enhancing the effectiveness of the treatment of patients with hypertension was decisive simplification of drug therapy through the use of a fixed combination of perindopril A/indapamide.

[Treatment of Patients With Stable Ischemic Heart Disease in Real Clinical Practice in Russia. The CHOICE-2 Program].

OBJECTIVE: in the framework of an open post-marketing observational national program CHOICE-2 to assess correspondence between recommendations for management of patients with stable angina and actual clinical practice, as well as to assess effect of treatment with cytoprotector trimetazidine on clinical course of the disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Participating physicians (n=185 from 46 regions of Russian Federation) recruited 896 patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). Checkup included registration of complaints, medical history, demographic and anthropometric data, physical examination, measurement of blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), registration of ECG, determination of functional class (FC) of angina (Canadian Cardiovascular Society classification), presence and severity of heart failure (NYHA class). Information on frequency of attacks of angina, short-action nitrates requirements, and changes of exercise tolerance was taken from patients diaries. Visual analog scale (VAS) was used for evaluation of severity of dyspnea. RESULTS: At initiation of the program physicians increased prescribing of the following drugs: statins (from 74 to 92%), beta-blockers (from 84 to 92.7%), ivabradine (from 4.7 to 8.8%), renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (from 85 to 95.4%), trimetazidine (from 13 to 100%). This led to a significant reduction of BP (from 147.1+/-14.3/88.1+/-9.0 to 127.4+/-9.0/78.4+/-6.5 mm Hg), HR (from 75,6+/-9,6 to 65.8+/-6.1 bpm), frequency of angina attacks (from 5.36+/-5.38 to 1.12+/-1.70 per week), nitroglycerine consumption (from 5.12+/-5.23 to 0.87+/-1.43 doses). Walk distance increased from 336.9+/-252.9 to 593.6+/-419.8 meters. There occurred 6-fold increase of number of patients with FC I angina and 4-fold decrease of number of patients with FC III angina. According to VAS well-being improved from 44.0+/-17.3 to 77.3+/-16.6 points. Frequency of requests for emergency medical care reduced from 36.4 to 19.4%, and frequency of hospitalizations fell from 25.9% during preceding 6 months to 7.3% during 6 months after therapy change. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to improve the adherence to recommendations on optimal medical therapy, and increase the frequency of trimetazidine use in the structure of anti-anginal therapy.