Aim. To assess the long-term outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and their association with calcification biomarkers.

Material and methods. The study included 129 men (mean age, 61,5±7,5 years) with coronary atherosclerosis who were admitted for CABG surgery. Patients were divided into 2 groups: with favorable and unfavorable (death, myocardial infarction, stroke, surgery) 5-year prognosis after surgery. Before the surgery, the blood concentrations of calcification biomarkers (osteoprotegerin, osteopontin, osteonectin and osteocalcin) were determined in all patients.

Results. Long-term outcomes of myocardial revascularization were studied in 92 patients (71%). An unfavorable long-term 5-year period was identified in 28 men (30,4%). In men with an unfavorable 5-year prognosis, the blood osteocalcin level before CABG was 1,2 times higher than in men with a favorable one. Multivariate linear regression showed that the risk of a 5-year unfavorable prognosis for coronary atherosclerosis after myocardial revascularization was associated with the blood osteocalcin concentration, determined before CABG (B=0,018, R²=0,285, p=0,008).

Conclusion. The data obtained indicate the relevance of continuing studies on osteocalcin, including with respect to its contribution to coronary atherosclerosis and calcification.

We present three cases of successful transatrial transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation in patients with bioprosthetic mitral valve dysfunction. Patients with a high surgical risk, with severe heart failure due to bioprosthetic mitral valve dysfunction, were implanted with transcatheter prostheses using the transatrial approach.

Transesophageal echocardiography and fluoroscopy-guided transcatheter mitral prosthetic valve positioning was performed. With a cardiac pacing at 180 bpm, a transcatheter valve was implanted. The transcatheter valves functioned properly after surgery. The patients were discharged in satisfactory condition.

Aim. To assess the outcomes of myocardial revascularization (MR) and identify risk factors for early postoperative complications in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the context of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Material and methods. The study included 769 patients aged 67,0±4,4 years with CAD with ACS in the period from April to October 2020. In an expedited manner, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (n=699) and on pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (n=70) were performed. All patients underwent a COVID-19 rapid tests. After MR, the following outcomes were recorded: adverse cardiovascular events and other complications; various surgical interventions; bilateral COVID-19 pneumonia; death. The follow-up period lasted 30 days.

Results. During the hospitalization, COVID-19 was detected in 5,3% of patients (n=41). Among them, bilateral multisegmental pneumonia developed in 48,8%. Among infected patients, COVID-19-related mortality in the early postoperative period was 9,8%. The all-cause mortality rate was 0,7%. On pump CABG significantly increases the risk of developing COVID-19 pneumonia (odds ratio (OR), 23,2; 95% confidence interval (CI) 14,2-35,4; p<0,001). After MR, COVID-19 pneumonia was associated with respiratory (OR, 7,6; 95% CI, 4,3-11,5; p=0,001) and heart failure (OR, 4,2; 95% CI, 2,9-8,6; p=0,001), atrial fibrillation (OR, 8,3; 95% CI, 4,1-13,9; p=0,001), as well as with all-cause mortality (OR, 10,3; 95% CI, 5,2-16,7; p=0,005). Recurrent transmural myocardial infarction in patients with CAD was associated with heart failure after MR (OR, 7,1; 95% CI, 2,4-12,6; p=0,012).

Conclusion. Conducting on pump CABG in patients with CAD with ACS is the leading trigger for developing COVID-19 pneumonia, which, during hospitalization after MR, was associated not only with respiratory complications, but also with impaired heart function, which significantly increases the death risk in this category of patients.

Aim. To assess the risk of contrast-induced acute renal injury (CI-AKI) in patients with acute myocardial infarction in a highly specialized hospital after coronary angiography.

Material and methods. The study sample included 502 patients who were treated in the cardiology department of a specialized hospital. CI-AKI was established by an increase in creatinine >26 μmol/L within 48 hours after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with radiopaque contrast agents or an increase in creatinine >50% within a week after PCI. A multistage statistical analysis was used to search for possible predictors of CI-AKI.

Results. In total, CI-AKI was diagnosed in 57 (11,3%) patients. Based on the analysis performed, 3 significant predictors of CI-AKI were identified: patient’s age, contrast medium volume (ml/kg) and anemia (presence/absence). An equation for assessing the risk of CI-AKI in patients after PCI has been created.

Conclusion. A simple scale for assessing the CI-AKI risk makes it possible to identify a category of patients who requires preventive measures to reduce iatrogenic complications and mortality.

Aim. To compare myocardial imaging methods in patients with complicated coronary artery disease with significantly decreased myocardial contractility.

Material and methods. This single-center retrospective study included 109 patients with complicated coronary artery disease who underwent surgical treatment between 2014 and 2020. All patients had indications for delayed contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in order to determine myocardial viability due to a pronounced decrease in left ventricular contractility according to echocardiography (ejection fraction (EF) ≤30%).

Results. Impairment of local contractility according to MRI and echocardiography significantly correlates with depth of contrast accumulation (p=0,0000000018 and p=0,0000034, respectively). Delayed contrast-enhanced cardiac MRI with cine sequences allows to determine higher number of impaired contractility cases compared with echocardiography (p=0,000006).

Conclusion. MRI with cine sequence allowed to determine higher number of impaired contractility cases compared with echocardiography. Delayed contrastenhanced MRI is a reliably more sensitive method than electrocardiography in detecting left ventricular scarring. The depth of contrast agent accumulation correlates with local contractility impairment detected by echocardiography and delayed contrast-enhanced cardiac MRI.

Aim. To compare the outcomes of aortic valve replacement using the xenogenic aortic prosthesis Hancock II and the novel Russian xenogenic pericardial prosthesis MEDINGE-BIO.

Material and methods. The study included patients operated on for aortic stenosis in the cardiac surgery department № 1 of the Cardiology Research Institute (Tomsk National Research Medical Center). All patients were divided into two groups. The first group included 54 patients with Hancock II prostheses, the second — 91 patients with MEDINGE-BIO prostheses. Hemodynamic characteristics of heart valves were assessed by echocardiography before surgery and before discharge (on average 10 days after surgery).

Results. When comparing hemodynamic parameters before and after surgery, significant differences between the groups were not obtained. The average pressure gradient after surgery using Hancock II and MEDINGE-BIO prosthesis was 21,6±7,9 and 17,9±5,6 mm Hg, respectively (p=0,05).

Conclusion. The comparative analysis showed that the novel biological prosthesis MEDINGE-BIO has comparable hemodynamic characteristics with the well-known aortic prosthesis Hancock II.

Aim. To compare the immediate outcomes of combined coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with coronary endarterectomy (CE) and isolated CABG.

Material and methods. This retrospective study included 192 patients with stable angina who underwent myocardial revascularization in the period from January 2016 to August 2018. The patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 included patients who underwent combined CABG and CE, while group 2 — patients who underwent isolated CABG. Patients in both groups did not differ in the main preoperative characteristics, with the exception of the incidence of obesity and right coronary artery disease.

Results. In-hospital mortality in group 1 was 2,2% (n=2), in group 2 — 2% (n=2). The incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction in group 1 was 1% (n=1) and in group 2 — 0%. There were no significant differences between groups in the following postoperative parameters: in-hospital mortality, perioperative myocardial infarction, need and duration of inotropic support, duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) and need for long-term mechanical ventilation, stroke, arrhythmias, resternotomy for bleeding. In group 1, encephalopathy (11,8%) and respiratory failure (12,9%) were significantly more common.

Conclusion. Combined CABG and CE is a safe technique for achieving complete myocardial revascularization in diffuse coronary artery disease, since, in comparison with isolated CABG, there is no increase in the incidence of death and perioperative myocardial infarction. However, in this category of patients, an increase in the incidence of non-lethal, non-disabling cerebral and pulmonary complications should be expected.

Aim. To determine the optimal method for performing coronary artery endarterectomy (СE) based on immediate and long-term outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in combination with open or closed CE in the left anterior descending artery (LAD).

Material and methods. This retrospective study included 103 patients who underwent CABG in combination with closed CE and 204 after open CE in the LAD during the period from 2003 to 2016. In both groups, the patient age was comparable (65 years [56; 69] vs 67 years [58; 72] (p=0,263)). There were more men (88,3% vs 81,4% (p=0,421). The mean follow-up period was 94 months [38; 180]. Long-term outcomes were assessed in 86,4% (n=89) and 83,8% (n=171) of patients from the closed and open CE groups, respectively (p=0,141). Angiographic data were studied in 75,3% and 67,3% of patients, respectively (p=0,441).

Results. In the closed and open CE groups, in-hospital mortality was 4,8% and 1,5% (p=0,0012), incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction — 11,6% vs 2,5%, (p<0,001), survival rate after 7,8 years — 81,3±5,1% and 84,4±3,2% (p=0,342), respectively. The patency of arterial shunts was significantly higher in the open CE group — 93,1% vs 80,6% (p=0,004). At the same time, the patency of venous shunts in the long-term period between the groups was comparable — 70,1% vs 73,7% (p=0,314).

Conclusion. Open CE in combination with CABG provides better immediate outcomes compared to closed CE. Long-term survival and freedom from angina between the groups were comparable. In the long-term period, the patency of internal thoracic artery after open CE is better than after the closed technique. Open CE is a safe and effective method to achieve complete myocardial revascularization in patients with severe diffuse LAD atherosclerosis.

Aim. To analyze the preoperative status, intraoperative tumor characteristics and further clinical manifestations in patients after surgery for a cardiac tumor.

Material and methods. The study included 54 patients who were operated on for a heart tumor from 2014 to 2020. We assessed clinical performance, diagnostic investigations before and after (during hospitalization) surgery, tumor size and histological characteristics.

Results. Among patients operated on for cardiac tumors, women predominated (74%). Among comorbidities, hypertension (79,3%), chronic kidney disease (48,3%), and obesity (25,9%) were most common. There were following clinical manifestations before surgery: shortness of breath — 47 (81%) patients, palpitations and heart rhythm disturbance — 26 (44,8%), chest pain — 25 (43,1%), chest discomfort — 28 (49,1%), edema — 6 patients (10,3%). The predominant tumor localization was the left atrial fossa ovalis area (50%). According to histological analysis, myxoma prevailed — 38 cases (86,4%). After surgery, atrial fibrillation prevalence decreased from 8 patients before surgery to 6 after surgery (p=0,034), while left atrial size decreased by 0,6 mm (95% confidence interval, 4,39-6,2 mm) (p<0,001).

Conclusion. According to presented analysis over a 6-year period, cardiac neoplasms are more common in women (74,1%), while the mean age of patients is 59,7 years. Among comorbidities, hypertension prevails — 79,3%. Histological examination revealed a predominance of myxoma (86,4%). Predominant tumor location was the left atrial fossa ovalis area (50%). Surgical treatment of neoplasms was effective. So, prevalence of atrial fibrillation decreased by 25%, while left atrial size decreased by 0,6 mm. Postoperative complications and in-hospital deaths were not registered.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that affects almost all organs and systems. The main target is the respiratory system, but cardiovascular involvement is also common. Today, it is relevant to study the effect of complicated COVID-19 course on the patient’s cardiovascular system after hospital discharge — in particular, echocardiographic parameters.

Aim. To study the echocardiographic parameters of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia 3 months after discharge from the hospital.

Material and methods. The study included 106 patients with documented COVID-19 pneumonia. Patients underwent a comprehensive examination during hospitalization and 3 months ± 2 weeks after hospital discharge. The mean age of participants was 47±16 years (from 19 to 84 years), while 49% were women.

Results. Three months after discharge, the average body mass index of the subjects was 28,2±5,7 kg/m². Obesity was noted in 37,1%, cardiovascular diseases — in 52%. According to echocardiography, the prevalence of right ventricular (RV) dilatation was 2,9%, a decrease in tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) — 9,5%, grade ≥2 tricuspid regurgitation — 1,9%, pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary artery systolic pressure >36 mm Hg) — 3,8%. The mean value of RV global longitudinal myocardial strain (GLMS RV) and global longitudinal myocardial strain (GLES RV) was 19,6±4,5 and 20,6±4,6, respectively. We found moderate correlations between GLMS RV and blood flow time through the left ventricular outflow tract (OT) (r=-0,436), through the mitral valve (r=-0,390; both p<0,0001) and through the RVOT (r=-0,348; р=0,004), with cardiac index (CI) (r=0,316; p=0,009), as well as between GLES RV and blood flow time through the LVOT (r=-0,411; p<0,0001) and RVOT (r=-0,300; p=0,005), and with CI (r=0,302; p=0,004). At the same time, the correlation of GLES RV with RV fractional area change (FAC) was weak (r=-0,283; p=0,007), while there was no correlation with the TAPSE. In addition, correlation of GLMS RV with these parameters were not defined.

Conclusion. Three months after COVID-19 pneumonia, RV strain parameters were shown to have stronger relationships with time characteristics of flows in LVOT and RVOT, as well as with CI, than with such generally accepted characteristics of RV function as FAC and TAPSE.

Already at the very beginning of COVID-19 pandemic, it became known about the key clinical and pathogenetic significance of immunopathological reactions and disorders of hemostasis. Specific coagulopathy, microvascular thromboinflammatory organ damage, macrothrombosis and thromboembolism in the acute period of COVID-19, as well as secondary hemostasis disorders in convalescents, actualize the issues of caring patients with cardiovascular disease. COVID-19 not only increases the risk of thromboembolic events for patients with previously identified arrhythmias, but can also indirectly cause it (as a complication of infection or therapy). The aim of this work was to summarize the data and substantiate the optimal choice of prophylactic anticoagulant therapy for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Atrial fibrillation is not only the most common type of supraventricular tachyarrhythmia, but it is also the main underlying cause of more than half of cardioembolic stroke cases, which requires effective thromboprophylaxis. While maintaining the infectious danger for patients, the anticoagulant selection should take into account the possible dysfunctions and drug interactions during the initial infection or reinfection of COVID-19, as well as the possibility of rapid anticoagulant action reverse if surgery is required or bleeding develops. The optimal choice seems to be the use of dabigatran, which is characterized by the best safety profile for hepato- and nephrotoxicity, cytochrome P450-independent metabolism, and the presence of an antidote.

Aim. To compare the effectiveness of standard conservative therapy for heart failure (HF) with the inclusion of sacubitril/valsartan combination and device therapy.

Material and methods. The study included 64 patients from 38 to 73 years old (45 men and 19 women; mean age, 59,5±0,9 years) hospitalized in Baku (Azerbaijan) hospital due to NYHA class II-IV HF. The patients were divided into the experimental (group 1) and control (group 2) groups. The experimental group included 33 patients who took sacubitril/valsartan twice a day in combination with other drugs for standard HF therapy. The control group included 31 patients after cardiac resynchronization therapy. We compared clinical and hemodynamic parameters (including 6-minute walk test and echocardiography data) before and 6 months after treatment, as well as blood concentration of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). In addition, Kaplan-Meier survival curves were analyzed.

Results. As a result of 6-month therapy, clinical condition of patients in both groups was improved. In the experimental group, some parameters were significantly better than in the control one. So, the differences regarded distance in 6-minute walk test (pu=0,002), changes in HF class (pu=0,017), LV ESD (pu=0,006), LV EDD (pu=0,001) and blood BNP concentrations (pu<0,001).

Conclusion. The use of sacubitril/valsartan combination as part of standard HF therapy was accompanied by a significant improvement in the clinical, hemodynamic and biochemical parameters of patients with HF compared with device therapy.

A case report on endovascular treatment of occlusion of the infrarenal aorta and iliac arteries in a patient with hemodynamically significant two-vessel coronary artery disease is presented. After a thorough examination and assessment of surgical risks, a multidisciplinary team meeting chose a staged revascularization strategy: stage 1 — percutaneous coronary intervention in the left anterior descending artery and right coronary artery; stage 2 — endovascular recanalization of aorto-iliac segment occlusion using the kissing stents technique. There were no perioperative complications and the patient was discharged on the 4th day after surgery in a satisfactory condition. The choice in favor of these types of reconstruction and staged revascularization strategy was substantiated. A conclusion was made about the effectiveness and safety of implemented measures.

The article presents the results of 1,5-year follow-up after surgery of critical aortic stenosis by the Ozaki technique in a patient with severe heart failure using data on global longitudinal strain.

Introduction. The case report describes radiofrequency ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) using robotic magnetic navigation (RMN) in a teenager after surgery of congenital heart disease (CHD) and transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect (VSD) using an occluder.

Short description. The 16-year-old female patient was operated on in 2005 for CHD. In 2018, the patient underwent resection of ascending aortic sub-valvular membrane, followed by transcatheter closure of VSD with an occluder. After surgery, VT of 294 bpm was documented, which required an emergency hospitalization. Decision was taken to perform a radiofrequency ablation (RFA) using RMN. RFA was performed from the pulmonary artery valve through the scar to upper occluder edge spreading to tricuspid valve. After procedure, VT paroxysms were not induced with all pacing types. According to ECG series and 24-hour Holter monitoring on the 2nd day after surgery, VT episodes were not recorded. During the 6-month follow-up period, VT episodes were not registered without taking antiarrhythmic drugs.

Discussion. This case report demonstrates the effectiveness of using RMN system for VT ablation in a teenager with CHD, who underwent open surgical interventions and transcatheter VSD closure using an occluder.

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are used to prevent and treat thrombosis and thromboembolic events in patients with various diseases. Despite its high efficacy and safety, DOAC therapy is accompanied by increased risk of hemorrhage, including gastrointestinal bleeding. Bleeding risk depends on individual patient profile and their risk factors. An increased risk of bleeding is associated with manifesting effect of DOACs on existing mucosal defects, active Helicobacter pylori infection. To reduce the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding in clinical practice, changing of following modifiable risk factors is required: H. pylori eradication; dose-adjusted DOAC therapy; prophylactic proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) administration to patients with HAS-BLED score ≥3, receiving dual or triple antithrombotic therapy, taking DOACs in combination with non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, to those with upper gastrointestinal diseases. In addition to PPIs, patients may be prescribed with rebamipide, bismuth tripotassium dicitrate, ursodeoxycholic acid. DOAC rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) has pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic advantages, a convenient single dosing regimen and a favorable safety profile, which provides effective protection against thrombosis and thromboembolic events in combination with low risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Machine learning (ML) is among the main tools of artificial intelligence and are increasingly used in population and clinical cardiology to stratify cardiovascular risk. The systematic review presents an analysis of literature on using various ML methods (artificial neural networks, random forest, stochastic gradient boosting, support vector machines, etc.) to develop predictive models determining the immediate and long-term risk of adverse events after coronary artery bypass grafting and percutaneous coronary intervention. Most of the research on this issue is focused on creation of novel forecast models with a higher predictive value. It is emphasized that the improvement of modeling technologies and the development of clinical decision support systems is one of the most promising areas of digitalizing healthcare that are in demand in everyday professional activities.

Over the past 40 years, various types of prostheses have been developed for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction. However, conduit stenosis and insufficiency due to valve degeneration occur frequently, decreasing the lifetime of patients. Transcatheter stenting of conduits does not always give favorable results and can lead to severe pulmonary regurgitation. The novel method of percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation is a good alternative to the surgical intervention according to data on long-term survival and quality of life.

Valvular heart disease is widespread among general population, mainly in older age groups, who often require noncardiac surgery. As the population ages, the significance of this problem will only increase. The basic principles of perioperative managing such patients by a multidisciplinary team, necessarily including a cardiologist, are systematized and set out in international clinical guidelines, which are regularly updated. Currently, the Russian Society of Cardiology guidelines on management of valvular heart diseases are being prepared for publication. However, specifics of assessment and management of patients when planning noncardiac surgery require more detailed presentation for a cardiology practitioner.