[Analysis of the causes of repeat stenosis of the coronary arteries after elective stenting in patients with stable angina pectoris].

AIM: Coronary stenting is the evidence-based treatment approach of stable angina. The objective was to determine the incidence of restenosis or atherosclerosis progression which led to the need for coronary angiography according to a single center registry data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The procedure and clinical data of 3732 (2897 males) consecutive stable coronary artery disease patients undergoing coronary stenting, over five years between March 2010 and September 2014, were subject of this study. Over the next 4 years, 1487 (1173 males) patients were re-evaluated due to angina reoccurrence. 699 patients demonstrated the indications for coronary angiography. RESULTS: The restenosis of the previously stented segment was detected in 84 (12%) cases, the progression of coronary atherosclerosis in 306 (44%), the combination of restenosis and atherosclerosis progression in 63 (9%), and the absence of these complications in 245 (35%) cases. The progression of coronary atherosclerosis was the leading indication for the repeat angiography and revascularization (44 and 58%, respectively); p0.05. The basal level of hsCRP2 mg/l had a prognostic significance for the development of combined event (the restenosis and atherosclerosis progression): AUC 0.65 (0.500.75), OR 3.0 (1.17.9), p0.05. CONCLUSION: The progression of coronary atherosclerosis was the leading indication for the repeat angiography and repeat revascularization during 2 years after coronary stenting. The hsCRP level 2 mg/l at baseline had a prognostic significance for the development of restenosis in previously stented segment and coronary atherosclerosis progression.

Computed Tomography Myocardial Perfusion Imaging With Transesophageal Atrial Pacing Stress Test in Patients With Borderline Stenoses in the Coronary Arteries: a Comparison With Fractional Flow Reserve.

Aim      To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of cardiac perfusion computed tomography (PCT) with transesophageal electrocardiostimulation (TE ECS) for detection of ischemia in patients with borderline coronary stenosis (50-75 %) compared to measurements of fractional flow reserve (FFR).Material and methods  The study included 25 patients with borderline (50-75 %) coronary stenosis as per data of computed tomography angiography (CTA) or coronary angiography (CAG). Later the patients underwent invasive measurement of FFR and cardiac PCT on a 320-row detector tomograph in combination with the TE ECS stress test.  FFR values <0.8 indicated the hemodynamic significance of stenosis. Myocardial perfusion was evaluated visually based on consensus of two experts.Results All patients completed the study protocol. Cardiac pacing duration was 6 min for all patients. Four patients required intravenous administration of atropine sulphate. PCT with TE ECS detected significant for FFR stenoses with sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of a positive result and predictive value for a negative result of 47, 90, 87, and 53 %, respectively.Conclusion      PCT with TE ECS in combination with CTA can be considered as an informative method for simultaneous evaluation of the condition of coronary arteries and detection of myocardial ischemia. This method is particularly relevant for assessing the hemodynamic significance of borderline coronary stenoses.

[The prognostic value of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein blood level after coronary stenting for the development of stent restenosis].

Aim      To analyze the relationship between serum concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in dynamics and development of restenosis at 12 months following elective coronary stent placement (CSP).Material and methods  The key role in atherogenesis, neointimal proliferation and restenosis belongs to inflammation. This study included 91 patients (median age, 60 [56; 66] years) with stable exertional angina after an elective CSP using second-generation stents. Follow-up coronarography was performed for 60 patients at 12 months. Concentration of hsCRP was measured immediately prior to CSP and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after CSP. Restenosis of the stented segment (50% or more narrowing of the stented segment or a 5-mm vessel segment proximally or distally adjacent to the stented segment) was observed in 8 patients.Results According to results of the ROC analysis, the increase in hsCRP concentration >0.9 mg/l (>25%) at one month after CSP had the highest predictive significance with respect of restenosis (area under the ROC curve, 0.89 at 95 % confidence interval (CI) from 0.79 to 0.99; sensitivity, 87.5 %; specificity, 82.8 %; р=0.0005), which was superior to the absolute value of hsCRP concentration >3.0 mg/l (area under the ROC curve, 0.82 at 95 % CI from 0.68 to 0.96; р=0.0007).Conclusion      Increased concentration of hsCRP ≥0.9 mg /l (≥25 %) at a month after CSP was associated with restenosis of the coronary artery stented segment.

Prediction-Determining Outcomes and Their Predictors in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Receiving Multicomponent Antithrombotic Therapy in Real Clinical Practice.

Aim      Searching for clinical, angiographic, and biochemical predictors of cardiovascular complications (CVC) and hemorrhagic complications in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) receiving a multicomponent antithrombotic therapy (MAT) for an elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) and AF who require MAT for PCI are at a high risk of thrombotic complications (stroke, systemic embolism, coronary events) and hemorrhage. This warrants searching for new risk factors determining prediction of the outcome.Materials and methods This study included 207 patients (146 males aged 70.1±8.3 years) with IHD and AF who received direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) as a part of their MAT therapy. Median duration of the follow-up was 12 [8.0; 12.0] months. The efficacy endpoint was a sum of CVCs combining cardiovascular death, ischemic stroke, venous thromboembolic complications, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and requirement for an unscheduled PCI. "Coronary events", including ACS and requirement for an unscheduled PCI were analyzed separately. The safety endpoint was BARC type 2-5 bleeding. Upon admission, biomarkers (growth-differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), D-dimer, thrombin-activated fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1)) were measured for all patients. Searching for prognostically significant indexes was performed with the Cox proportional hazards regression.Results Incidence of all CVCs was 16.4 %. Independent predictors of CVC included the DOAC treatment at a reduced dose (odds ratio (OR) 2.5 at 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.02-6.15; p=0.0454), GDF-15 >1191 pg /ml (OR 3.76 at 95 % CI, 1.26-11.18; p=0.0172), PAI-1 >13.2 U/ml (OR 2.67 at 95 % CI, 1.13-6,26; p=0.0245). Incidence of coronary complications was 9.2 %. Independent predictors of coronary complications included a SYNTAX index >26.5 (OR 4.5 at 95 % CI, 1.45-13.60; p=0.0090), PCI for chronic coronary occlusion (OR 3.21 at 95 % CI, 1.10-9.33; p=0.0326), a GDF-15 >1191 pg/ml (ОR 4.70 at 95 % CI, 1.32-16.81; p=0.0172). Incidence of BARC type 2-5 bleeding was 26.1 %. The only independent predictor for hemorrhage complications was the total PRECISE-DAPT score >30 (ОR 3.22; 95 % CI, 1.89-5.51; р<0.0001).Conclusion      Three independent predictors of CVC were identified for patients with IHD and AF treated with MAT following an elective PCI: treatment with a reduced dose of DOAC, GDF-15 >1191 pg /ml, and PAI-1>13.2 U/ml. Independent predictors of coronary complications included a SYNTAX index >26.5, PCI for chronic coronary occlusion, and GDF-15 >1191 pg/ml. The factor associated with a risk of bleeding was the total PRECISE-DAPT score >30.

[The Incidence and Possible Predictors of Coronary Restenosis].

OBJECTIVE: Assess time and possible predictors of restenosis after the implantation of first- and second-generation coronary stents and bare metal stents (BMSs) in patients with stable coronary artery disease after elective coronary stenting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2010 to 2014, 3,732 (2,897 males, 60 [53; 68] years old) patients with stable exertional angina of functional class I-III underwent coronary stenting. From 2014 to 2017, 1,487 (1,173 males and 314 females) patients returned. Repeat coronary angiography was performed in 699 patients. RESULTS: A total of 644 first-generation stents, 5,321 second-generation stents, and 473 BMSs were implanted. During the control coronary angiography, contrasting was repeated for 193 first-generation stents, 899 second-generation stents, and 77 BMSs. Restenosis (stenosis of 50 % or more in the previously stented segment) was detected in 28 (14 % of angiographic control) first-generation drug-eluting stents, 94 (10 %) second-generation drug-eluting stents, and 21 (27 %) BMSs. Patients with BMS restenosis returned significantly earlier than patients with restenosis of the first- and second-generation drug-eluting stents (11 [6, 27] months vs. 32 [11; 48]) months and 24 [12; 42] months, respectively; p<0.05). The initial and repeat levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were higher in patients with restenosis (2.2 [1.2, 5.0] mg / L vs. 2.1 [1.0, 4.6] mg / L, respectively; p> 0.05) than in patients without restenosis (2.0 [0.9, 4.2] mg / L vs. 1.9 [0.7, 3.5] mg / L respectively, p>0.05). Blood levels of hs-CRP ≥2 mg / L according to receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis at return visit were used as a predictor to identify restenosis of stents with a diameter <3 mm and a length >25 mm - area under the curve (AUC) 0.67 (95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.51-0.84), p <0.05, odds ratio 3.7 (95 % CI 1.1-12.1), p<0.05. Stent type had a significant effect on the time to restenosis in the survival analysis (p<0.0005). CONCLUSION: The time from coronary stenting to the return visit of patients presenting with restenosis after the implantation of first- and second-generation drug-eluting stents is consistent; median time of the return visit of patients with restenosis of the first-generation stents was 2-3 years after coronary stenting. Blood levels of hs-CRP ≥2 mg / L at the return visit is a predictor of restenosis of stents with a diameter <3 mm and a length >25 mm.

The value of cardiovascular magnetic resonance in myocarditis with different clinical presentation.

AIM: to assess the diagnostic meaning of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in various clinical forms of myocarditis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 11 (8 men, mean age 32.8±11.1 years) patients (pts), hospitalized with suspected acute coronary syndrome, while an acute myocardial infarction was excluded during the examination (group I); 48 pts (31 men, 43.1±12.7 years), with clinical and instrumental signs of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) - group II; and 20 patients (12 men, 39.5±14 years), with episodes of ventricular tachycardia (group III) underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI). In 38 patients endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) was performed. RESULTS: According to EMB, signs of active myocarditis were revealed in 10 (34.5%) group II pts and in 3 (37.5%) group III pts; signs of resolved myocarditis - in 8 (27.6%) patients in group II and in 3 (37.5%); minimal morphological changes - in 11 (37.9%) patients of group II and in 2 (25%) patients of group III. In 9 (81.9%) patients of group I MRI data allowed to establish the diagnosis of acute myocarditis. Signs of active inflammation from MRI data were detected in myocardium 5 (10.4%) in group II pts and 7 (35%) in group III pts. In 22 (45.8%) pts in group II and 10 (50%), CMR data corresponded to the picture of resolved myocarditis. In 21 (43.8%) cases of group II and 3 (15%) of group III, MRI revealed minimal structural changes. In pts with clinical and instrumental signs of DCM and/or ventricular tachycardia MRI allows to identify signs of "active myocarditis" with a sensitivity of 37.5% with a specificity of 83.4%. At the same time, in cases of resolved myocarditis and minimal morphological changes MRI has high sensitivity (70 and 71.5%) and specificity (71.5 and 75%, respectively). CONCLUSION: CMR has high diagnostic significance in patients with infarct-like course of myocarditis. In patients with clinical syndrome of dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmias, the sensitivity of MRI in detecting active myocarditis is low (37.5%) with high specificity (83.4%). In cases of minimal structural changes in the myocardium and resolved inflammation, CMR is a good alternative to EMB.

Rate of Complications at Early Removal of Compression Bandage After Transradial Coronary Angiography.

PURPOSE: to compare rates of access site complications at early (after 4 hours) and traditional (after 24 hours) removal of a compression bandage after diagnostic transradial (TR) coronary angiography (CA) in patients not receiving anticoagulants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included into this study 392 patients (mean age 63±8.7 years, 62.8% men) who underwent transradial coronary angiography. Patients were divided into 2 groups. In group 1 patients (n=221) compression bandage was removed from puncture site in 4 hours after procedure with subsequent control of radial artery patency using presence of pulse metric curve during ulnar artery compression (the reverse Barbeau test with pulse oximeter). In patients of group 2 (n=171) compression band was removed after 24 hours. In both groups control of radial artery patency was carried out after 24 hours using the reverse Barbeau test. Upon detection of radial artery occlusion (RAO) ultrasound imaging of the forearm arteries was performed. RESULTS: No RAO was detected in group 1 while in group 2 number of detected RAO was 15 (8.8%) (р<0.05). Rates of hematomas at puncture site were not significantly different. Puncture site bleeding after band removal requiring repeated banding occurred in 1 patient of group one (0.6%); no such cases were registered in group 2 (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with traditional method early removal of compression bandage after TR CA was associated with lower rate of RAO.

[Preprocedural high - sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) decrease during intensive atorvastatin therapy: the presumable impact on atherosclerosis progression after coronary stenting].

Proinflammatory status is the risk factor for coronary atherosclerosis progression after coronary stenting (CS). Intensive statin treatment is associated with hsCRP concentration decline. AIM: to evaluate prognostic significance of preprocedural hsCRP level reduction with intensive statin regimen for coronary atherosclerosis progression during one year after CS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 102 patients with stable angina who were on list for scheduled CS. Group I (n=37) patients received atorvastatin 80 mg for 7 days before and 3 months after CS with further dose adjustment according to LDL; group II (n=65) patients received atorvastatin 20-40 mg/day for LDL goal achievement. HsCRP level was assessed at baseline, before CS and after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Coronary atherosclerosis progression was defined as new ≥50% stenosis or ≥30% increase of ≥20% pre - existing stenosis according to coronary angiography (CA) 1 year after CS. RESULTS: Baseline concentration of hsCRP was comparable: 0.21 (0.13; 0.38) vs. 0.20 (0.1; 0.44) mg/dl in groups I and II, respectively (p>0.05). In group I significant hsCRP level decrease to 0.14 (0.07; 0.32) mg/dl (p.

[Thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications in atrial fibrillation patients, undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention].

AIM: To evaluate efficacy and safety of reduced dose of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) as part of triple antithrombotic therapy in AF patients, undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and to identify factors, associated with this strategy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study is a cohort analysis of AF patients with AF, who successfully underwent elective PCI and assigned DOACs as part of triple antithrombotic therapy (TAT).Influence of a reduced DOACs dose as a part of TAT on the frequency of thecomposite efficacy endpoint (acute coronary syndrome, ischemic stroke, venous thromboembolic events, cardiovascular death and angina pectoris aggravation/need for unplanned PCI) and safety endpoint (hemorrhagic complications BARC types 2-5) were assessed using the Log-Rank criterion. RESULTS: The study included 124 pts (69.4% women, mean aged 69±8.2 years). Themedian total score CHA2DS2-VASc was 5, the median of the Charlson index composed 7. Half (52%) of AF patients with high risk of thrombotic events after elective PCI received reduced-DOACs dose. Median follow up period was 11.0 month. 17 adverse thrombotic events were recorded during this period, BARC 2-5 bleedings occurred in 27 patients. Reduced DOACs doses in AF patients undergoing PCI were associated with significant increase of thrombotic events during follow up period compared to patients received full DOACs doses (0.79 vs 0.93, Log-Rank p=0.0292). Patients, who received full and reduced DOAC doses, were comparable in the frequency of BARC 2-5 bleedings (0.78 vs 0.75, Log-Rank p=0.06742). CONCLUSIONS: The administration of a reduced DOACs dose as a part of TAT in patients with AF, who underwent PCI, was associated with significant increase in the incidence of all thrombotic events, compared to patients, who received full dose of anticoagulants. The number of hemorrhagic complications was comparable.

Pathological Remodeling of the Myocardium in Chronic Heart Failure: Role of PGC-1α.

Pathological remodeling of the myocardium in chronic heart failure includes the development of pathological cardiac hypertrophy, reactivation of the fetal genetic program, and disorders in cardiac energy metabolism. Coactivator-1α of receptor γ activated by peroxisome proliferator (PGC-1α), a transcription coactivator of nuclear receptors and metabolism master regulator, plays an important role in cardiac metabolism regulation. Studies on the animals models of chronic heart failure have demonstrated the development of pathological cardiac hypertrophy, metabolic disorders, and reactivation of the fetal genetic program; these processes are mutually related. An important role in regulation of these processes belongs to PGC-1α; its low expression indicates low activity and down-regulation of this coactivator. Pathological cardiac hypertrophy, decrease of PGC-1α activity, and reactivation of the fetal genetic program in chronic heart failure are demonstrated.

The periprocedural myocardial damage prevention during elective percutaneous coronary intervention as a result of pharmacological preconditioning with an oral form of nicorandil in patients with stable coronary artery disease. Pilot study.

AIM: The purpose of the study is to prove the effectiveness of pharmacological preconditioning caused by nicorandil in patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD) during the elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 88 patients with a stable form of CHD, who were going to pass the elective PCI, in the study. As the method of blind randomization envelope method was used. There were formed two groups or patients: the first group involved 45 patients - were treated with nicorandil (Cordinic, PIQ-FHARMA LLC) (the main group) the other group included 43 patients who were treated by the standard therapy (the comparison group). The basic antianginal therapy was allowed to use in both groups: beta-blockers, calcium antagonists, ATE inhibitors / angiotensin II receptor blockers, statins, acetylsalicylic acid, blockers of P2Y12 receptor platelets. The admission of prolonged form of nitrates before the PCI was allowed in the second group. Patients from the 1st group were to take nicorandil 2 days and 1 day before the PCI at the 30 mg/day dose, then 20 mg orally 2 hours just before PCI, and one more time 6 hours after the PCI - 10 mg nicorandil. Highly sensitive troponin (HS-Tp) as a biomarker of irreversible damage to the myocardium was evaluated before PCI and after PCI in 24 hours. Were used highly sensitive troponin (HF-Tr) and creatine phosphokinase-MB as an irreversible myocardial damage biomarkers. The analysis of which was conducted before PCI and 24 hours after the surgery. RESULTS: The obtained data shows the significant differences of an increase in hs-Tp in 24 hours after PCI in patients with no admission of nicorandil (117 ng/l) as compared with the nicorandil group (73 ng/l), p = 0.04. There were significant differences in the 24 hours increment in hs-Tp in the control group, it was higher (112 ng/l) than in the nicorandil group (67 ng/l), p = 0.03. There was also a significant -decrease in CK-MB after 24 hours in the nicorandil group (2.7 ng/L) compared to the control group (2.0 ng/L), p = 0.008. Also the frequency of the troponin increase above the UNL(upper normal level) in the nicorandal group, was significantly (p = 0.03) lower (in 62% of cases compared to 85% of the control group). CONCLUSION: The prevention of the complications during the percutaneous myocardial revascularization should be considered with the position of the most suitable pharmacological support. The appointment of the oral form of nicorandil (Cordinic, PIQ-FHARMA LLC) for 2 days and 1 day before PCI 30 mg/day, then 20 mg 2 hours before the PCI and 10 mg after 6 hours after the surgery reduces the risk of intraoperative myocardial damage. The obtained data give an opportunity to extend the indications for nicorandil's appointment in the drug support during PCI in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

[Clinical case of using manual thrombus aspiration during percutaneous coronary intervention in a patient with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction type 2].

The paper describes a patient admitted to the Emergency Cardiology Department, A.L. Myasnikov Institute of Clinical Cardiology, for diagnosed ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome. At the prehospital stage, the patient received ineffective thrombolytic therapy; percutaneous coronary intervention was made at the Department of X-ray Endovascular Diagnostic and Treatment Methods of the Institute 3.5 hours after disease onset. Repeated thrombus aspirations from the infarction-related artery were carried out, which could have a good angiographic pattern. His medical record shows that the patient has been suffering from persistent atrial fibrillation for a long time. There is also evidence for transient ischemic attacks in 2010 and 2011. The fact that there are no coronary artery stenoses after thrombus removal could suspect the thromboembolic genesis of myocardial infarction.

[No-reflow phenomenon in the practice of an endovascular surgeon].

No-reflow phenomenon is a complication of percutaneous coronary intervention and is the absence of distal coronary bed filling. The main cause of this phenomenon is distal embolism of the coronary artery by atheromatous and thrombotic masses. The paper gives different classifications for evaluation of myocardial and coronary reperfusion. The use of aspiration catheters, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors and other drugs that affect prognosis in patients with this phenomenon is also touched upon.

[Transradial approach during percutaneous coronary interventions. Part 1. Evidence base for applying a transradial approach].

The use of the radial artery as an approach to percutaneous coronary interventions is becoming increasing popular now. The success of this approach depends on both the accumulated experience of an operator and a health care facility. The paper analyzes an investigation of the comparative characteristics of both a transradial approach and a transfemoral one and the impact of the former on the success of the procedure. It considers the role of the transradial approach in the present-day practice of X-ray endovascular diagnosis and treatment specialists and discusses the problems of education and choice of optimal clinical indications.

[Transradial approach during percutaneous coronary interventions. Part 2. Practical guidelines and the authors' data].

The paper describes the technical features of a transradial approach; indications and patient selection for this arterial approach; and stepwise patient preparation. It depicts the anatomic variants of the origin of the radial artery, which affect the success of this approach. The suitable instruments for this approach are described. The authors give their results of the performed study comparing different types of approaches.

[Quantitative assessment of the hemodynamic relevance of borderline coronary stenoses by myocardial single-photon emission computed tomography with radiation absorption correction versus fractional flow reserve].

OBJECTIVE: To study whether myocardial single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT with radiation absorption correction (RAC) versus fractional flow reserve (FFR) may be used to assess the hemodynamic relevance of borderline coronary stenosis in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The investigation enrolled 70 patients (50 men and 20 women; mean age 57 ± 5 years) diagnosed as having CHD verified by clinical instrumental studies, in whom coronary angiography (CA) estimating FFR revealed 50 to 70% coronary stenosis; then all the patients underwent SPECT/CT using a two-day rest/exercise (bicycle ergometer) protocol; the total injected radiotracer activity was 370-900 MBq 99mTc-MIBI depending on body weight. RESULTS: A standard 17-segment scheme was employed to calculate the SDS index, borderline stenosis detected by CA was considered hemodynamically significant at SDS ≥ 4 in one of the 17 segments, which corresponded to one of the major coronary artery, which was compared by the authors ith FFR. At SDS ≥ 4, the sensitivity and specificity of SPECT/CT were shown to be 96.7 and 90.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Quantitative analysis of borderline stenosis by SPECT/CT with RAC increases its specificity and sensitivity in estimating the functional significance of borderline coronary stenosis.

[Embolization of mammary artery branches after mammary artery bypass surgery].

Even after performed mammary artery bypass surgery, some patients continued to have clinical manifestations of angina pectoris. This may be associated with the development of coronary stealing syndrome due to the fact that the native intrathoracic artery has large lateral branches. Current methods for embolization of arteries of different diameters make it possible to accomplish this task reasonably safely and in full measure. This paper describes a clinical case of reembolization of the lateral branch of a mammary artery shunt with an intravascular coil.

[Endovascular treatment for chronic coronary occlusions in patients with coronary heart disease].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the angiographic results of endovascular treatment for chronic coronary occlusions in patients with coronary heart disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 2009 to 2013 attempted endovascu-ar recanalization of chronic coronary occlusions in 854 patients with coronary heart disease. The patients' age ranged from3 6 to 68 years (mean 52 years). The estimated du-ation of occlusion was m1 onth to more than 3 years. There were 193 (22.6%) females and 661 (77.4%) males. 462 (54.1%) patients had a history of myocardial infarction. 738 (86.4%) and 116 (13.6%) patients had true (TIMI grade 0) and functional (TIMI grade i1 occlusions, respectively. Multi- and univascular lesions were found in 683 (79.9%) and 171 (20.1%) patients, respectively. Silent occlusions with preserved myocardial contractility were identified in 165 (19.3%) patients. RRESULTS:Blood flow could be successfully restored in 616 (72.1%) patients. Recanalization of chronic coronary occlusion failed in 238 (27.9%) patients. CCONCLUSION:Recanalization of chronic coronary occlusions is a highly effective and relatively safe technique. The efficiency of the procedure largely depends on the duration of occlusion, its X-ray morphological characteristics, and the experience of a physician.

[Coronary angioplasty and stenting in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy].

Multiple coronary artery atherosclerotic lesions are a major cause of ischemic cardiomyopathy. Myocardial revascularization in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy in the presence of the viable myocardium and/or ischemic areas leads to improved central hemodynamic parameters and as a consequence to better quality of life and prognosis as a whole. The paper describes a clinical case of successful coronary artery angioplasty and stenting in a patient with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Following 8 months, there was a considerable improvement in the patient's general condition, an increase in left ventricular ejection fraction, and a reduction in cardiac cavity sizes.

[Endovascular closure of the left atrial appendage in patients with atrial fibrillation: review of modern data and own experience of application].

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most often disturbance of cardiac rhythm met in clinical practice. Long term therapy with anticoagulants is used for prevention of thrombi formation in left atrial appendage and consequent thromboembolism. However some patients have contraindications to this therapy. This article contains consideration of various alternative methods of prevention of thromboembolic complications in particular those 2 which are most widely used at present - percutaneous transcatheter isolation of left atrial appendage with Amplatzer Cardiac Plug () or Watchman Device. We present also data on own experience of the use of the ACP device.