Dynamics of fibrotic and vascular endothelial dysfunction markers in elderly hypertensive patients after ischemic stroke receiving beta-blockers

Aim. To compare the effect of beta-blocker therapy (bisoprolol and nebivolol) on the dynamics of fibrotic and vascular endothelial dysfunction markers in elderly hypertensive patients after ischemic stroke (IS).Material and methods. This prospective cohort study included 75 hypertensive patients who were admitted to the hospital due to IS. The mean age of patients was 67±6 years. The average National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 7±3. The followup period was 6 months. The control group consisted of 20 elderly people with hypertension without prior myocardial infarction. The patients were divided into groups based on received therapy: group 1 (n=38) — bisoprolol; group 2 (n=37) — nebivolol. The level of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISAKit, USA). Vascular ultrasound was carried out using a LOGIQP9 (GE) system according to the Celermajer method.Results. After 6-month nebivolol, we revealed a decrease in the level of MMP-9 by 30,2% (p<0,01), TIMP-1 by 15,6% (p<0,05). After 6-month bisoprolol therapy, the level of MMP-9 decreased by 14,5% (p<0,05), while TIMP-1 did not change. Intergroup comparison found that when using nebivolol, there was a higher decrease in the level of MMP-9 by 15,7% (p<0,05), TIMP-1 by 9,7% (p<0,05), MMP-9/TIMP-1 by 7,8% (p<0,05) than with bisoprolol therapy. After 6-month bisoprolol therapy, there was a decrease in the proportion of patients with severe endothelial dysfunction (ED) by 7,9% (p<0,05). Two patients from the nebivolol group moved into mild ED category. The number of patients with moderate ED increased by 19% (p<0,01), while prevalence of severe ED decreased by 24,4% (p<0,01).Conclusion. The results obtained indicate that the beta-blocker nebivolol at an average dose of 8,55+1,75 mg/day significantly reduces the vascular fibrosis, normalizes the ratio of collagen synthesis and degradation markers, improves the vasodilation brachial artery properties in comparison with bisoprolol in elderly hypertensive patients after IS.

Beta-blocker and calcium-channel blocker therapy in patients with cardiovascular pathologies during post-COVID period

С начала 2020 г. в мире распространилась инфекция, вызванная вирусом SARS-CoV-2, что в дальнейшем привело к пандемии COVID-19. Долгое время вопросы ведения пациентов с новой коронавирусной инфекцией в остром периоде рассматривались как первоочередные. По мере накопления клинического опыта и данных о возбудителе новой коронавирусной инфекции стало очевидно, что проблема последствий перенесенного COVID-19 и ведения пациентов на постгоспитальном этапе является такой же важной. В силу прямой и опосредованной кардиотоксичности вируса SARS-CoV-2 особую группу риска на всех этапах составляют пациенты с сердечно-сосудистыми заболеваниями. Поэтому одной из важных задач мирового медицинского сообщества стала разработка способов улучшения качества и прогноза жизни пациентов с сердечно-сосудистыми заболеваниями в постковидном периоде. В статье сделан обзор наиболее крупных исследований, включая данные регистра «Анализ динамики коморбидных заболеваний пациентов, перенесших инфицирование SARS-CoV-2 (AКТИВ SARS-CoV-2)», по вопросу медикаментозной терапии пациентов с сердечно-сосудистыми заболеваниями с акцентом на бета-адреноблокаторы и блокаторы кальциевых каналов. В представленных работах терапия бета-адреноблокаторами продемонстрировала благоприятное влияние на тяжесть течения новой коронавирусной инфекции у пациентов с сердечно-сосудистыми заболеваниями, снижение смертности на госпитальном и в отдаленном постгоспитальном периодах. Данные по применению блокаторов кальциевых каналов изучены в меньшей степени, но можно отметить, что данная группа препаратов является одной из самых часто назначаемых в терапии пациентов с сохранением стойких жалоб на повышение артериального давления на постгоспитальном этапе. Требуется дальнейшее изучение влияния отдельных классов антигипертензивных препаратов на прогноз пациентов с сердечно-сосудистыми заболеваниями и COVID-19. Early in 2020, the infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 emerged and caused the COVID-19 pandemic. For a long time, management of patients with the acute novel coronavirus infection was of primary importance. With accumulation of clinical information and data on the causative agents of novel coronavirus infection it became obvious that the COVID-19 consequences and post-hospital follow-up of patients are important as well. Due to the direct and mediated cardiac toxicity of SARS-CoV-2 virus, cardiovascular patients are at high risk at any stage of the disease. Therefore, one of the priorities for healthcare professionals is development of the ways to improve the quality and prognosis of life for cardiovascular patients in the post-COVID period. The article discusses large-scale studies including the data from the International Register «Analysis of Chronic Non-infectious Diseases Dynamics After COVID-19 Infection in Adult Patients» (AСTIV-SARS-CoV-2), as regards drug therapy of cardiovascular patients with a focus on beta-blockers and calcium-channel blockers. In mentioned publications, beta-blocker therapy demonstrated favourable impact on the novel coronavirus infection severity in cardiovascular patients, reduction in mortality rates during the hospital and post-hospital periods. Data on the use of calcium-channel blockers have been studied to a lesser extent; however, calcium-channel blockers are thought to be one of the most commonly prescribed groups in the therapy of patients with persistent complaints of high blood pressure at the post-hospital period. A study of the impact of some categories of antihypertensives on the outcome for cardiovascular patients with COVID-19 is warranted.

Clinical features and antiarrhythmic therapy in patients with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia

Aims. To evaluate the long-term efficacy of antiarrhythmic therapy in patients with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT).Methods. CPVT was diagnosed in 11 patients between the ages of 3-12 years with a minimum follow-up of 10 years. The data analyzed was obtained from existing medical records that included symptoms, family screenings, treadmill tests, electrocardiography, echocardiography, implanted cardioverter-defibrillator data (ICD), and medical treatments.Results. Cardiac events were registered in 75% of patients on beta-blocker therapy. Supraventricular arrhythmias such as atrial and atrioventicular nodal tachycardia, atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter were detected using various ECG diagnostic methods in all patients, which is significantly higher than reported in similar studies. A combination of anti-arrhythmic therapy and beta-blocker treatment reduced the number of cardiac events by 50% as compared to only beta-blocker treatment.Conclusion. Multiple supraventricular arrhythmias have a high prevalence in patients with CPVT and can trigger ventricular arrhythmia. Combined antiarrhythmic therapy is effective because it prevents cardiac events in patients with CPVT. Combined antiarrhythmic therapy improves the prognosis of patients with CPVT and may help to avoid or postpone ICD implantation.

Passive Prescription of Secondary Prevention Medical Therapy during Index Hospitalization for Acute Myocardial Infarction Is Prevalent and Associated with Adverse Clinical Outcomes

Secondary prevention therapy reduces death and reinfarction after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but it is underutilized in clinical practice. Mechanisms for this therapeutic gap are not well established. In this study, we have explored and evaluated the impact of passive continuation compared to active initiation of secondary prevention therapy for AMI during the index hospitalization. For this purpose, we have analyzed 1083 consecutive patients with AMI to a tertiary referral hospital in Hong Kong and assessed discharge prescription rates of secondary prevention therapies (aspirin, beta-blockers, statins, and ACEI/ARBs). Multivariate analysis was used to identify independent predictors of discharge medication, and Kaplan–Meier survival curve was used to evaluate 12-month survival. Overall, prescription rates of aspirin, beta-blocker, statin, and ACEI/ARBs on discharge were 94.8%, 64.5%, 83.5%, and 61.4%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that prior use of each therapy was an independent predictor of prescription of the same therapy on discharge: aspirin (odds ratio (OR) = 4.8, 95% CI = 1.9–12.3, P < 0.01 ), beta-blocker (OR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.8–3.4, P < 0.01 ); statin (OR = 8.3, 95% CI = 0.4–15.7, P < 0.01 ), and ACEI/ARBs (OR = 2.9, 95% CI = 2.0–4.3, P < 0.01 ). Passive continuation of prior medication was associated with higher 1-year mortality rates than active initiation in treatment-naïve patients (aspirin (13.7% vs. 5.7%), beta-blockers (12.9% vs. 5.6%), and statins (11.0% vs. 4.6%); all P < 0.01 ). Overall, the use of secondary prevention medication for AMI was suboptimal. Our findings suggested that the practice of passive continuation of prior medication was prevalent and associated with adverse clinical outcomes compared to active initiation of secondary preventive therapies for acute myocardial infarction during the index hospitalization.