[Perspectives of using pulmonary arterial stiffness indicators to evaluate the prognosis of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: the aim of the study was to characterize the mechanical properties of the pulmonary arterial wall (PA) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the heart, and to determine their diagnostic and prognostic value. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 57 patients with PAH were examined. The diagnosis of PAH was verified according to the recommendations of the ERS/ESC from 2015. All patients underwent a detailed echocardiographic (ECHO) study, MRI of the heart and right heart catheterization (RHC). To calculate the stiffness of the pulmonary artery wall, the MRI and RHC data were used. RESULTS: We identified a correlation between the functional class of PAH and the parameters of hemodynamic, physical performance, ECHO parameters of the right chambers. There were no differences in the stiffness of the pulmonary artery wall, depending on the functional class of PAH. Among the six stiffness indicators, only pulsation index was associated with the structural and functional parameters of the right ventricle and pulmonary vascular resistance. CONCLUSION: The MRI pulsation index is the simpleststiffness index of the pulmonary artery wall and the most promising one for evaluating the prognosis of patients with PAH.

Perspectives of using pulmonary arterial stiffness indicators to evaluate the prognosis of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

AIM: The aim of the study was to characterize the mechanical properties of the pulmonary arterial wall (PA) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the heart, and to determine their diagnostic and prognostic value. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 57 patients with PAH were examined. The diagnosis of PAH was verified according to the recommendations of the ERS/ESC from 2015. All patients underwent a detailed echocardiographic (ECHO) study, MRI of the heart and right heart catheterization (RHC). To calculate the stiffness of the pulmonary artery wall, the MRI and RHC data were used. RESULTS: We identified a correlation between the functional class of PAH and the parameters of hemodynamic, physical performance, ECHO parameters of the right chambers. There were no differences in the stiffness of the pulmonary artery wall, depending on the functional class of PAH. Among the six stiffness indicators, only pulsation index was associated with the structural and functional parameters of the right ventricle and pulmonary vascular resistance. CONCLUSION: The MRI pulsation index is the simpleststiffness index of the pulmonary artery wall and the most promising one for evaluating the prognosis of patients with PAH.

[Value of Two Dimensional Echocardiography for Assessment of Disease Severity in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension].

AIM: To carry out complex assessment of the right ventricular (RV) function with two-dimensional echocardiography (2D-EchoCG) for detection of most informative markers of the disease severity in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We examined 63 patients with PH (38 with idiopathic PH, 7 with corrected congenital heart defects, 6 with systemic scleroderma, 12 with chronic inoperable thromboembolic PY). Examination included right heart catheterization, 2D-EchoCG, and cardiac magnetic resonance tomography (MRT). RESULTS: 2D-EchoCG revealed dilation of right chambers of the heart, hypertrophy of RV anterior wall, increase of ratio of right to left ventricular end-diastolic dimensions (RV:LV), reduction of LV stroke volume, diminution of amplitude and velocity of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, and significant increase of myocardial performance index Tei. MRT data evidenced for lowering of RV ejection fraction. Canonical correlation was found between integral characteristic of 2D-EchoCG and integral hemodynamic characteristic (r=0.77; p=0.007). We also determined threshold values of RV: LV to be used for stratification of risk in patients with PH. CONCLUSION: In patienns with PH calculation of simple 2D-EchoCG parameters provides information important for determination of disease severity, selection of optimal method of treatment, and monitoring of patients condition.

Effectiveness of infrared-terahertz radiation with acupuncture in the initial period of ischemic stroke.

Effectiveness of infrared-terahertz radiation with acupuncture in the initial period of ischemic stroke. This article presents the data of observational retrospective clinical investigation aiming at generalization of the experience of usage of infrared terahertz radiation combined with acupuncture for treatment of the patients in the initial period of ischemic stroke. The experimental group contained 30 patients which had various clinical problems at the initial period of hospitalization. The attempts to dissolve these problems within the acceptable period of time employing domestic and international standard treatment approaches failed. The control group consisted of 31 patients with uncomplicated course of stroke. The patients of the experimental group in addition to the standard treatment received infrared terahertz treatment (device ) combined with acupuncture. Despite the fact that the condition of the patients in the experimental group at admission was much serious than in the control group, at the time of discharge the level of functioning of the first group was definitely higher than the second. In 6 months that superiority increased and has been retained during two years of following up. Despite the fact that the employed in the current investigation method has been used for dissolving different clinical problems, it has been resulted in increase of the general level of functioning proved by the dynamics of such an integral criterion as index Barthel. This means that employment of infrared terahertz radiation in the stroke patients possesses the systemic effect. To recommend the discussed method for treatment of all patients in the initial period of stroke as well as its repeated employment during rehabilitation the separate prospective randomized clinical trials should be undertaken.

[Effects of remote ischemic preconditioning on perioperative period in elective aortic valve replacement].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the effects of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) on the perioperative period in elective aortic valve replacement (AVR) along different anaesthesia techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 48 patients aged 50 to 75 years (64 (56;69)) which were scheduled for AVR due to aortic valve stenosis were included into the prospective, randomized study. Four groups were formed after randomization: 1) RIPC applied during propofol anesthesia (RIPCprop, n = 12), 2) RIPC applied during sevoflurane anesthesia (RIPCsevo, n = 12), 3) propofol anesthesia without RIPC (CONTROLprop, n = 12), 4) sevoflurane anesthesia without RIPC (CONTROLsevo, n = 12). Groups were similar in baseline data of patients. RIPC protocol: three five-minutes episodes of simultaneous both lower limbs ischemia with five-minutes reperfusion intervals. Troponin I (cTrI), interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were assessed prior to induction of anesthesia, at 30 min, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours after the cessation of CPB. Significant differences were assessed by the nonparametric Mann-Whitney and Fisher's exact tests. Data are presented as: median (25th percentile, 75th percentile). RESULTS: . Significant differences in cTnI were found between RIPCsevo and CONTROLsevo groups at 6, 12 and 24 hours: 1.68 (1.28, 2.09) ng/ml vs 3.66 (2.07, 4.49) ng/ml, respectively at 6 hours (p = 0.04); 1.89 (1.59, 2.36) ng/ml vs 3.66 (2.91, 5.64) ng/ml, respectively at 12 hours (p = 0.001); 1.68 (1.55; 2.23) ng/ml vs 3.32 (2.10; 5.46) ng/ml, respectively at 24 hours (p = 0.01). There were no differences found in cTnI between RIPCprop and CONTROLprop groups during the whole study. There were no significant differences found in the levels of IL-6 and CRP between RIPC and control groups during the whole study Unexpectedly significant excess concentrations of IL-8 at 24 h were found when RIPC applied during sevoflurane anesthesia: 12.3 (10.6, 14.4) pg/mL in RIPCsevo group vs 6.2 (4.8, 11.1) pg/ml in CONTROLsevo group (p = 0.02). There was no paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) after RIPC, and 5 cases were registered in the control groups (p = 0.02). No other significant differences in the clinical course of the postoperative period were found. CONCLUSIONS: Cardioprotective effect of RIPC and its effect on systemic inflammatory response should be assessed in the selected anesthesia groups. RIPC on the background of sevoflurane anesthesia reduces myocardial injury during AVR. RIPC does not reduce the severity of the systemic inflammatory response after AVR. RIPC reduces the risk of AF after AVR.

[First experience of application of assist circulation device using biventricular type "excor"].

The frequency of use of assist blood device as the "bridge" to the heart transplantation increased in last years. An assessment of results of first 7 implantations of assist circulation device using biventricular type "Excor" was made. The implantations were performed in Federal Almazov centre of the heart, blood and endocrinology. An observation period after implantation was since 11 till 301 days. The heart transplantation of 4 patients was carried out in different terms after implantation. One of the patients passed away on the fifth day due to the pulmonary embolism. Another patient died on the eleventh day after the implantation because of multiple organ failure against the background of severe chronic cardiac failure. The waiting list of heart transplantation includes 2 patients.

[Surgical treatment of chronic thrombo-embolic pulmonary hypertension with floating thrombi in the right heart ventricle].

A 31 years old male patient was admitted to a resuscitation unit with severe dyspnea (MMRC 4 grade). The patient had the dyspnea for 3 months.The diagnosis of chronic thrombo-embolic pulmonary hypertension with floating thrombi in the right heart ventricle was established. On the sixth day of admission after IVC filter insertion, the patient underwent thromboectomy with pulmonary endarterectomy. For an access to segmentary pulmonary arteries during operation SVC and the aorta had been cross-clamped. The duration of deep hypothermic (20 degrees C) circulatory arrest was 54 minutes. The patient was discharged in satisfactory condition on the 17th day. At the check-up at 3 months the dyspnea was absent and heart hemodynamic parameters had been normalized.

[An experience with cardiac transplantation with a single stage reduction of the left atrium cavity and correction of valvular disease].

The immediate and long-term results of cardiac transplantation with a reduction of the left atrium and correction of valvular diseases were performed on 4 patients with atriomegalia and associated valvular disease of the heart. There were no cases of hospital lethality. Within 7 days after operation the patients had a tendency to reducing the mean value of the left atrium. Within 38 months the tendency to normalization of the sizes, volumes and ejection fraction of the left atrium persisted. Cardiac autotransplantation is an effective method of a single stage reduction of the left atrium and correction of valvular diseases.

[The first experience with heart transplantation in the Federal Center of the Heart, Blood and Endocrinology named after V. A. Almazov].

At the present time heart transplantation is considered to be the operation of choice in treatment of patients with terminal stage of chronic heart failure. Results of the first 5 heart transplantations made in the Federal Center of the heart, blood and endocrinology named after V. A. Almazov are assessed. There were no perioperational lethality and complications at the hospital stage. An analysis of the long-term results has shown effectiveness of heart transplantations in treatment of severe heart pathology.

[Improvement of aortic root replacement technique with aortic valve sparing: immediate and long-term results].

One of the approaches to treatment of the aortic root aneurysms combined with aortic insufficiency is valve-sparing aortic root replacement. An analysis of immediate and long-term results dealt with 19 operations of replacement of the ascending parts of the aorta with sparing the aortic valve by the David I modified technique. The results demonstrated effectiveness and relative safety of this method of correction. At the long-term period 3 patients (16%) showed the II degree aortic regurgitation, in the other patients it was not higher than I degree. The improved David I technique is thought to be optimal in patients with the aortic root aneurysms, aortic insufficiency and unaltered aorta valve cusps.

[Cardiac autotransplantation in a patient with congestive heart failure].

Congestive heart failure with intact or moderately lowered left ventricular pump function is caused in some patients by mitral regurgitation. Consequences are dilation of the left atrium, pulmonary hypertension, tricuspid regurgitation, thromboembolic complications, rhythm disturbances, elevated risk of sudden death. Efficacy of drug treatment, electroimpulse therapy is little and surgery is the method of choice. One of alternatives is cardiac autotransplantation. A successful experience of application of this technique is presented. Cardiac autotransplantation was carried out in a female patient with moderately lowered left ventricular contractile function, extreme degree of mitral and tricuspid regurgitation, atriomegaly, atrial fibrillation and pronounced signs of congestive heart failure.

[Early postoperative hyperlactatemia in patients after surgery under extracorporeal circulation].

Metabolic disturbances, such as changes in blood acid-base balance and electrolytic composition; hyperglycemia and hyperlactatemia, are frequent factors that complicate the early postoperative period in patients after cardiac surgery under extracorporeal circulation. The purpose of the study was to estimate the incidence of hyperlactatemia in the early postoperative period and to reveal the predictors of its occurrence. This prospective study was conducted in our center from November 14, 2006, to September 1, 2007. The study covered 270 patients above 15 years of age, who had been operated on for coronary heart disease, acquired heart diseases, and combined lesions of valves and coronary arteries. Hyperlactatemia was observed in a substantial proportion of patients who had been operated on under extracorporeal circulation. Correlation analysis indicated a significant association between the duration of extracorporeal circulation and the magnitude of hyperlactatemia developing in the early postoperative period. Hyperglycemia with a glucose level of > 9 mmol/l is a predictor of the development of hyperglycemia.

[Autotransplantation of the heart as the method of treatment of congestive heart failure].

Congestive heart failure with preserved or moderately lowered left ventricular pump function in some patients is caused by mitral regurgitation. Its consequences are left atrial dilation, pulmonary hypertension, tricuspid regurgitation, thromboembolic complications, disturbances of rhythm with elevated risk of sudden death. As efficacy of drug treatment and electroimpulse therapy is small surgery is the method of choice and one of alternatives - autotransplantation of the heart. Here we present a successful experience of application of this technique in a patient with moderately lowered left ventricular function, extreme degree of mitral and tricuspid regurgitation, atriomegaly, atrial fibrillation, and pronounced manifestations of congestive heart failure.

[Clinical experience with voluven solution used as a basic component for pump oxygenator filling during operations on the cardiac valves and coronary arteries].

The present study comparatively analyzed the clinical effects of three solutions used to fill an extracorporeal circulatory circuit (ECCC). The arterial and venous blood samples taken from patients operated on for valvular disease and coronary heart disease were studied. All patients (n = 61) were divided into 3 groups according to the basic component of the primary volume of ECCC filling: 1) Ringer's crystalloid solution; 2) gelofusin; 3) the hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 Voluven. The resultant samples were examined for the following parameters: a) hematological: the levels of formed blood elements, hemoglobin, erythrocytic hemoglobin, and free hemoglobin and the histograms of leukocytes, erythrocytes, and platelets; b) physicochemical: arterial and venous blood pH, pO2, pCO2, SatO2; c) biochemical: blood electrolytic balance and lactate levels. The values of hemoglobin, hematocrit, and blood gas composition were used to calculate oxygen consumption (ml/min x m2). The parameters of central hemodynamics and the temperatures in the rectum, esophagus, and venous oxygenator port were continuously monitored during extracorporeal circulation (EC). At its end, overall diuresis and water balance were determined. The plasma-substituting effect of Voluven was found to be highly effective during a clinical study. The found beneficial properties of the agent may be particularly attractive while applying EC to the surgery of acquired heat diseases when the duration of an operation and, accordingly, extracorporeal support forces the physician to administer large solution doses many times.

[Hemodynamic features during coronary bypass surgery on the working heart].

Changes in hemodynamics and blood oxygen transport function were studied during coronary bypass surgery (CBS) on the working heart under anesthesia with propofol and fentanyl. In patients operated on the working heart, the course of the basic stage of an operation was characterized by a moderate reduction in cardiac index and stroke volume due to the cardiac changes and immobilization, which resulted in cardiac compression and venous return deterioration. These impairments did not lead to worse oxygen-transportfunction and they were completely eliminated in the rehabilitative period. Analyzing the results of studies of troponin-T and creatinine kinase-MB showed that the procedure of coronary bypass surgery without using EKK had a less damaging effect on the myocardium. Analyzing the course of an early postoperative period indicated that the use of perfusionless technology substantially reduced needs for inotropic support, the time of artificial ventilation, and the length of stay at an intensive care unit.

[A comparative assessment of the myocardium protection by methods of blood and crystalloid cardioplegia in patients with high risk of coronary bypass grafting operation]. / Sravnitel'naia otsenka zashchity miokarda metodami krovianoi i kristalloidnoi kardioplegii u bol'nykh s vysokim riskom operatsii koronarnogo shuntirovaniia.

A comparative assessment of specific features of the intraoperative and early postoperative periods was made using antegrade blood and crystalloid cardioplegia during coronary artery bypass grafting operation in 100 patients with ischemic heart disease with a fraction of expulsion of the left ventricle of the heart < 0.5. Using the blood cardioplegia has allowed the need in inotropic support to be lowered at the isolated coronary artery bypass from 29.7% to 11.8%, and at a combination with the resection of the left ventricular aneurysm from 66.7% to 36.4% respectively in the control and main groups. The results obtained suggest that the proposed technique of blood cardioplagia has essential advantages over crystalloid cardioplegia in the coronary shunting of patients with a severe and complicated course of ischemic heart disease.

[Immediate results of using the radial artery in direct revascularization of the myocardium]. / Neposredstvennye rezul'taty ispol'zovaniia luchevoi arterii dlia priamoi revaskuliarizatsii miokarda.

The authors discuss results of more than 300 operations of the aorto-coronary bypass using the radial artery as a shunt. An analysis of the initial state of the patients, the intraoperative, early postoperative and intrahospital periods was made. Special attention was given to specific features of the isolating and using the radial artery grafts. Specific complications resulting from the application of them were analyzed and recommendations are given for prophylactics of such complications. The experiences with using the radial arteries allow to recommend it in revascularization of the myocardium. It is one of the ways of improving immediate and long-term results of operations on patients with ischemic heart disease.