[Comparative evaluation of efficacy of intracoronary shunts in minimally invasive myocardial revascularization].

Intracoronary shunts (IS) are devices for maintaining distal coronary blood flow when placing anastomoses with coronary arteries. The use of IS ensures functional and electrical stability of myocardium during its revascularization on the working heart. There are reports of endothelial damage by IS leading to dysfunction of coronary shunts. This study compares 208 patients with and without IS. Results of surgery were evaluated during hospitalization period. The groups were matched for initial clinical and instrumental characteristics and the number of shunt placements. It was shown that minimally invasive myocardial revascularization with the use of IS when placing distal anastomoses has a number of advantages over similar surgery without IS, viz. smaller degree of intraoperative myocardial lesion, blood loss, and frequency of postoperative complications along with enhanced stability of intraoperative hemodynamics.

[Effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors on water-salt homeostasis in hypertensive patients living in Far North]. / Vliianie ingibitorov angitenzinprevrashchaiushchego fermenta na sostoianie vodno-solevogo gomeostaza u bol'nykh arterial'noi gipertoniei v usloviiakh Krainego Severa.

The aim of the study was evaluation of ACE inhibitors (captopril and ramipril) effect on water-salt homeostasis in the treatment of patients with arterial hypertension (AH) living in the Far North of Russia. 100 male patients with mild and moderate AH were examined 2 weeks, 3 and 6 months after administration of captopril or ramipril. The drugs are shown to correct water-salt metabolism. This is explained by better renal function due to speeding up glomerular filtration and increased sodium excretion with urine, and by activity of humoral mechanisms (inhibited activity of plasma renin, low plasma concentration of aldosterone and its 24-h excretion). Comparison of captopril versus ramipril demonstrates advantages of prolonged ramipril in respect to regulation of water salt metabolism in the treatment of essential hypertension in the Far North.