[Using meldonium to improve the adaptation of patients with cardiovascular disease to the effects of heat and correction of associated oxidative stress].

Given that prolonged exposure to extreme climatic situations may play a role independent of stress factors, influencing the course of the underlying disease, the authors considered appropriate assessment of the effectiveness of additional prophylactic administration of drugs that increase the body's resistance to stress (adaptogens). The purpose of the study - to evaluate the effect of oxidative stress on meldonium, hemodynamics and quality of life of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) in extreme climatic conditions (summer heat). The study included 56 patients with CVD aged 38-75 years. Patients were randomized into two groups: active management (M), which in addition to basic therapy during 3 summer months received meldonium (500 mg/day), and control. The following parameters were measured: office blood pressure (BP), blood plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, level of oxidized low-density lipoprotein. MDA/SOD ratio was calculated. Visual analogue scale was used for assessment of quality of life. Meldonium treated patients demonstrated marked reduction of systolic BP and heart rate during heat, increased sodium level at the 2nd visit, improved quality of life. These changes corresponded to adaptive responses of healthy men. No significant dynamics of these parameters occurred in control group. MDA level during heat increased in both groups (p<0.05) but MDA/SOD ratio, which characterizes the "oxidation potential" of blood, increased significantly during the summer heat only in the control group. Meldonium can be used as an adaptogen in CVD patients during the summer heat.

[Impact of cardiac drug intake on adaptation to high temperatures in patients with cardiovascular diseases under conditions of the abnormally hot summer of 2010].

AIM: To evaluate the impact of intake of cardiac drugs on adaptation to abnormal heat in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study covered 188 patients with CVD, who had visited the Research Dispensary Department in January 2011. General clinical examination, biochemical blood analysis, and electrocardiography were made; the hospital anxiety and depression scale, the visual analog scale, and the questionnaire specially developed for this investigation were used. The authors considered acute myocardial infarction, acute stroke, hospital admission, a medical emergency team call, temporary disability (days), hypertensive crises, and unplanned visits to a doctor as estimated outcomes (endpoints) and the number of undesirable reactions a week during the abnormal heat and from September to December 2010 as a combined endpoint. RESULTS: There were a larger number of weekly adverse reactions than usual and a reduction in quality of life (QL) during the abnormal heat. Both an increase and a reduction in the dose of cardiac drugs during the abnormal heat were associated with its worse tolerability. The use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and calcium channel blockers (CCB) was an independent factor associated with the smaller number of complications during the abnormal heat. That of diuretics was an independent factor that was associated with a more decrease in QL in elderly patients during the heat. The intake of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) or nitrates was an independent factor associated with the larger number of complications during the abnormal heat. CONCLUSION: The use of ACE inhibitors and CCB is associated with fewer complications during the abnormal heat of 2010. The intake of diuretics in patients over 65 years of age and that of ARB or nitrates was associated with worse heat tolerance.