MICROCIRCULATORY ALTERATIONS IN STABLE CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE PATIENTS WITH CONCOMITANT COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: To evaluate the alterations in microcirculation of stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) patients with concomitant COVID-19. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The cross-sectional study analyzed the data from 80 patients, being subdivided as follows: group 1 (G1) - SCAD without COVID-19 (n=30); group 2 (G2) - SCAD with concomitant COVID-19 (n=25); group 3 (G3) - COVID-19 without SCAD (n=25). The control group included 30 relatively healthy volunteers. The state of microcirculation was assessed by nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) and laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). RESULTS: Results: NVC data from G2 revealed the sings of capillary bed remodeling, along with the most pronounced decrease in capillary (arteriolar part of the loop) blood flow velocity (vs. G1 and G3). LDF data from G2 were evident for the alterations in both endothelium-dependent and -independent mechanisms of microvascular flow regulation. The 72 % of G2 constituted the cases of microcirculatory hemodynamic «congestion-stasis¼ (MHCS) type (characterized by the decreased laser Doppler perfusion index and reduced endothelium-dependent microvascular reactivity [MVR]), and the cases of mixed type with reduced MVR. The pooled hyporeactive profile (of both MHCS type and a mixed type with reduced MVR) demonstrated the higher frequency of G2 patients (40 %), as against 11 % in the pooled alternative hemodynamic group (p<0,001) (included 80 % of cases with preserved MVR). CONCLUSION: Conclusions: G2 profile demonstrated the predomination of patients, possessing a MHCS type or a mixed type with reduced MVR. The pooled microcirculatory hyporeactive profile was presented with G2 cases to a greater extent, than in the pooled profile with predominantly preserved MVR.

INTRACARDIAC HEMODYNAMICS, CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND MICROEMBOLIC SIGNAL BURDEN IN STABLE CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE PATIENTS WITH CONCOMITANT COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: To estimate the changes in intracardiac hemodynamics, cerebral blood flow (CBF), and microembolic signals` (MES) burden in stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) patients with concomitant COVID-19. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The cross-sectional study analyzed the data from 80 patients, being subdivided as follows: group 1 (G1) - SCAD without COVID-19 (n=30); group 2 (G2) - SCAD with concomitant COVID-19 (n=25); group 3 (G3) - COVID-19 without SCAD (n=25). The control group (CG) included 30 relatively healthy volunteers. CBF and total MES count were assessed by transcranial Doppler ultrasound. RESULTS: Results: Transthoracic echocardiography data from G2 revealed the most pronounced left ventricular (LV) dilation and its contractility decline (the rise of end-systolic volume (ESV) and ejection fraction decrease), as compared to G1 and G3. G1-G3 patients (vs. CG) presented with lower peak systolic velocities in all the studied intracranial arteries (middle and posterior cerebral arteries bilaterally, and basilar artery), along with the higher MES count. Such a drop in CBF was the most pronounced in G2. Both G2 and G3 demonstrated the highest amount of MES, with slightly higher count in G2. We built a linear neural network, discriminating the pattern of both higher LV ESV and MES count, being inherent to G2. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: G2 patients demonstrated the LV dilation and its systolic function impairment, and presented with CBF drop and MES burden increase, being more advanced in contrast to G1 and G3. LV contractility decrease was associated with the higher MES load in the case of SCAD and COVID-19 constellation.

The role of basic pharmacotherapy in the prevention of late adverse events after elective coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: To determine the role of adherence to the guidelines on basic pharmacotherapy in prevention of late major adverse clinical events (MAEs) in patients with stable CAD for three years following isolated CABG. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: A prospective single-centre study included 251 consecutive patients with stable CAD (mean age (61±9) years, 218 (86.9%) males), after isolated CABG. In three years MAЕs occurred in 55 (21.9%) patients. The data on pharmacotherapy at follow-up were obtained in 250 patients: 196 (78.4%) patients without MAEs (at scheduled visit) and 54 (21.6%) patients with MAEs (based on in-hospital or archive data). RESULTS: Results: Basic CAD pharmacotherapy after CABG was comparable in MAEs vs. no-MAEs groups, with the vast majority of patients receiving guideline-recommended therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEII) or angiotensin-II receptors blockers (ARBs), statins and antiplatelet drugs. At three years follow-up, MAEs group, as opposed to no-MAEs group, was characterized by the lower usage of ACEII/ARBs (68.5% vs. 87.2%, respectively; p=0,001) and statins (59.3% vs. 86.7%, respectively; p<0,001), as well as basic triple therapy (ACEII or ARBs/statins/antiplatelet drugs: 35.2% vs. 70.4%, respectively [p<0,001]). CONCLUSION: Conclusions: At three - year follow-up MAEs in patients with stable CAD after CABG were associated with more frequent discontinuation of previously prescribed basic pharmacotherapy, namely ACEII/ARBs and statins, as well as triple therapy (ACEII/ARBs, statins and antiplatelet drugs).