The possibilities of using beta-blocker bisoprolol in patients with stable angina with concomitant bronchial asthma.

Aim    To compare efficacy and safety of treatments with the calcium antagonist (CA) verapamil, the cardioselective ß-blocker (BB) bisoprolol, and a combination therapy with bisoprolol and amlodipine in patients with stable angina (SA) with concurrent mild and moderate, persistent bronchial asthma (BA). Material and methods    This open, prospective, randomized, comparative study included 120 patients with an IHD+BA comorbidity. Of these patients, 60 had mild persistent BA and 60 had moderate persistent BA. Each group was divided into 3 subgroup, each including 20 patients, based on the used regimen of antianginal therapy. Stepwise dose titration was performed every 2 weeks (subgroup 1 received the BB bisoprolol 2.5 mg - 5 mg - 10 mg; subgroup 2 received the CA verapamil 240 mg - 240 mg - 240 mg; subgroup 3 received bisoprolol 2.5 mg followed by the combination treatment with bisoprolol and amlodipine as a fixed combination 5+5 mg). All patients underwent a complete clinical and instrumental examination at baseline and at 2, 4, and 6 weeks of treatment. The antianginal effectivity and the effect on bronchial patency were evaluated. Results    In patients with SA and mild persistent BA, the study of external respiration function (ERF) at 2, 4, and 6 weeks of treatment did not detect any significant difference in the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) between the treatment subgroups. In patients with SA and moderate persistent BA receiving the treatment, a significant decrease in FEV1 (р=0.022) was observed in subgroup 1 receiving bisoprolol 10 mg at 6 weeks of treatment. In subgroups 2 and 3 during the treatment, significant differences were absent. In patients with SA and mild or moderate persistent BA, the heart rate was significantly decreased in all three subgroups; however, in subgroup 2 receiving verapamil, the changes were considerably smaller than in other subgroups.Conclusion    The study results showed that the BB bisoprolol with dose titration every two weeks from 2.5 to 10 mg or the combination treatment with the BB bisoprolol and the CA amlodipine can be used as the antianginal therapy in patients with SA and mild persistent BA. The BB bisoprolol may be used in patients with SA and moderate persistent BA as the antianginal therapy, but only at doses not exceeding 5 mg to avoid the development of bronchial obstruction. The combination therapy with the BB bisoprolol 5 mg and the CA amlodipine 5 mg is indicated to enhance antianginal and vasoprotective effects.

Analysis of influence of background therapy for comorbidities in the period before infection on the risk of the lethal COVID outcome. Data from the international ACTIV SARS-CoV-2 registry («Analysis of chronic non-infectious diseases dynamics after COVID-19 infection in adult patients SARS-CoV-2¼).

Aim      To study the effect of regular drug therapy for cardiovascular and other diseases preceding the COVID-19 infection on severity and outcome of COVID-19 based on data of the ACTIVE (Analysis of dynamics of Comorbidities in paTIents who surVived SARS-CoV-2 infEction) registry.Material and methods  The ACTIVE registry was created at the initiative of the Eurasian Association of Therapists. The registry includes 5 808 male and female patients diagnosed with COVID-19 treated in a hospital or at home with a due protection of patients' privacy (data of nasal and throat smears; antibody titer; typical CT imaging features). The register territory included 7 countries: the Russian Federation, the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Moldova, and the Republic of Uzbekistan. The registry design: a closed, multicenter registry with two nonoverlapping arms (outpatient arm and in-patient arm). The registry scheduled 6 visits, 3 in-person visits during the acute period and 3 virtual visits (telephone calls) at 3, 6, and 12 mos. Patient enrollment started on June 29, 2020 and was completed on October 29, 2020. The registry completion is scheduled for October 29, 2022. The registry ID: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04492384. In this fragment of the study of registry data, the work group analyzed the effect of therapy for comorbidities at baseline on severity and outcomes of the novel coronavirus infection. The study population included only the patients who took their medicines on a regular basis while the comparison population consisted of noncompliant patients (irregular drug intake or not taking drugs at all despite indications for the treatment).Results The analysis of the ACTIVE registry database included 5808 patients. The vast majority of patients with COVID-19 had comorbidities with prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. Medicines used for the treatment of COVID-19 comorbidities influenced the course of the infectious disease in different ways. A lower risk of fatal outcome was associated with the statin treatment in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD); with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI)/angiotensin receptor antagonists and with beta-blockers in patients with IHD, arterial hypertension, chronic heart failure (CHF), and atrial fibrillation; with oral anticoagulants (OAC), primarily direct OAC, clopidogrel/prasugrel/ticagrelor in patients with IHD; with oral antihyperglycemic therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM); and with long-acting insulins in patients with type 1 DM. A higher risk of fatal outcome was associated with the spironolactone treatment in patients with CHF and with inhaled corticosteroids (iCS) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Conclusion      In the epoch of COVID-19 pandemic, a lower risk of severe course of the coronavirus infection was observed for patients with chronic noninfectious comorbidities highly compliant with the base treatment of the comorbidity.

[Use of Statins, Anticoagulants, Antiaggregants and Antiarrhythmic Drugs in Patients With COVID-19. The Agreed Experts' Position of Russian Society of Cardiology, Eurasian Association of Therapists, National Society on Atherothrombosis, Societies of Experts in Urgent Cardiology, Eurasian Arrhythmology Association].

This article discusses relevant aspects in the treatment of patients with COVID-19. Up-to-date information about principles for administration of statins, antithrombotics, and antiarrhythmics is presented. The authors addressed in detail specific features of reversing heart rhythm disorders in patients with coronavirus infection and the interaction of antiarrhythmic and antiviral drugs. Recommendations are provided for outpatient and inpatient antithrombotic therapy for patients with COVID-19. Issues of antithrombotic and antiviral drug interaction are discussed.

[Evaluation of endothelial dysfunction and the possibility of its correction at the present stage in patients with cardiovascular diseases].

The review describes the current understanding of endothelial dysfunction, methods of its evaluation, and highlights the advantages and disadvantages of various techniques. The role of nitric oxide and endothelin as important markers of endothelial dysfunction is shown, and the methods of their determination in clinical practice are described. The authors conclude that in order to improve the life expectancy and quality of life of patients with cardiovascular diseases, reduce the risk and frequency of complications and mortality rates, it is necessary to study the function of endothelium in more detail and to look for ways of drug correction, taking into account the pathogenetic mechanisms of its formation.