Role of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in reducing cardiovascular and cerebral complications in chronic kidney disease: focus perindopril

In the development of renocardial relationships in chronic kidney disease, an important role is given to the activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), as the main component of the progression and development of cardiovascular complications..The presented review is devoted to the analysis of modern scientific data on the effect of high RAAS activity in chronic kidney disease on the course and prognosis of cardiovascular complications, as well as the protective capabilities of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, in particular perindopril. The results of scientific research on the role of the RAAS in the progression of chronic kidney disease are summarized. Data on chronic kidney disease as a risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebral complications are presented. Attention is focused on the possibilities of prolonging the pre-dialysis period of chronic kidney disease when using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. The role of perindopril as a lipophilic angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor with a high affinity for tissue RAAS was emphasized in reducing cardiovascular and cerebral risk in chronic kidney disease.

Aortic regurgitation: epidemiologic, etiologic, and pathophysiologic characteristics

The presented review concerns aortic regurgitation which occupies a significant place in the structure of valvular heart disease. The detailed anatomic and physiologic description of the aortic valve is provided. The characteristics of sinotubular, ventricular-aortic junctions, and virtual aortic annulus are presented. There are data about prevalence of aortic regurgitation on the basis of results of population studies, indicating the increase in incidence of aortic regurgitation among individuals older 70–74 years. The detailed etiologic structure of this valvular pathology is described with specifying of the most common causes of both aortic disease and aortic cusps alterations. In particular, there are some aortic diseases, resulting in acute aortic regurgitation, including acute aortic dissection and paravalvular regurgitation in incompetence of the prosthetic aortic valve; in chronic one – idiopathic dilation of the aortic root, inherited connective tissue dysplasias (Ehlers–Danlos, Marfan, and Loeys–Dietz syndromes), bicuspid aortic valve, aortitis of various origin, seronegative arthropathies (reactive, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis) etc. Infective endocarditis and traumatic exposure are commonly responsible for development of acute regurgitation due to aortic cusps abnormalities. Chronic aortic regurgitation as a consequence valve defects occurs in rheumatic heart disease, degenerative changes, congenital anomalies, systemic connective tissue diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis), non-specific aortoarteritis, etc. The special attention is paid to pathophysiologic features of acute and chronic aortic regurgitation in the review. Acute aortic regurgitation is characterized by sudden increase in end-diastolic volume and due to the noncompliant left ventricle of normal size, it undergoes abrupt exposure a significant pre-load and after-load which results in decrease of left ventricle systolic function and stroke volume despite on relative preservation of contractile function of myocardium. In contrast to acute aortic regurgitation it is remarkable in its chronic form slow, progressive influence by increased overload of the left ventricle with possibility to adapt driven by its gradual dilation and hypertrophy.

Early signs of myocardial dysfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis

The objective of the study – identify early preclinical signs of myocardial dysfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.Material and methods. We examined 142 people with verified rheumatic diseases. All patients were divided into 2 groups. The first group consisted of patients with rheumatoid arthritis – 95 people. The second group – patients with ankylosing spondylitis – 47 people. The control group included 70 practically healthy individuals. In addition to standard diagnostic tests, all patients underwent tissue dopplerography of the heart using the GE Vivid E9 ultrasound device using the two-dimensional deformation technique (speckle tracking) to assess the deformation and rate of myocardial deformation, as well as determining the level of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in the blood serum.Results. Among patients with rheumatoid arthritis, diastolic dysfunction of both the left ventricle and both ventricles was more common than in the control group. The same pattern was observed in the group with ankylosing spondylitis. The calculation of the relative risk showed that the presence of rheumatoid arthritis in 4,42 times increases the risk of diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle in comparison with practically healthy people (CI 1,6–12,2). In individuals with rheumatoid arthritis also results in a deterioration of systolic function of both ventricles. The level of matrix metalloproteinase metalloproteinase-9 was highest and most often increased in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Among patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the average level of metalloproteinase-9 was low, but the incidence was higher than in the control group. The obtained results indicate that in these rheumatic diseases there is a marked degradation of the extracellular matrix components.Conclusion. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis are characterized by a deterioration in the diastolic function of the left ventricle or both ventricles simultaneously, which is accompanied by an increase in the level of metalloproteinase-9.

Interleukin 6 in aging and age­-related diseases

Modern concepts about the importance of subclinical inflammation in various age-associated pathology are described in the review. The term “inflammaging” (inflammation due to aging) refers to the special role of inflammation in the aging processes. This type of inflammation is low-grade, controlled, asymptomatic, chronic and systemic. Inflammaging determines the rate of aging and life expectancy. The balance of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines plays a significant role in aging processes. The increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in the elderly are associated with different diseases, disability and mortality. Interleukin-6 is a multifunctional cytokine involved in the regulation of acute phase response and other immunological reactions, in the hematopoiesis and in chronic inflammation. This cytokine is important in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammation diseases, as well as different oncological disorders. Interleukin-6 is often called the “cytokine of gerontologists”, since it is one of the main signaling pathways associated with aging and age-related diseases. This cytokine also plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure and increases the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases and overall mortality. Interleukin-6 is a key proinflammatory cytokine responsible for the “metabolic inflammation”, obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus. This cytokine has a significant impact on the development of sarcopenia and frailty. The serum levels of interleukin-6 negatively correlate with muscle mass and skeletal muscle function in the elderly, so it is considered as a biomarker of sarcopenia and functional decline. Interleukin-6 may contribute to the development of osteoporosis by stimulating osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. The modern data indicate the diverse effects of interleukin-6 and confirm the significant role of this cytokine in aging and in different age-associated pathology.

Health management: fashion trend or promising investment? Overview of corporate health promotion programs

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of disability, premature mortality and economic loss worldwide. Despite the proven effectiveness of preventive measures in reducing the risks of development and progression of cardiovascular diseases, these programs are the most difficult to implement. 75–90 % of visits to primary care physicians in Western Europe and the United States are associated with physical fatigue and stress disorders, back pain and injuries. Studies have shown that workers with risk factors for chronic noncommunicable diseases are often absent from the workplace, have a higher level of disability and lower labor productivity. A worker with depression costs the employer almost 1,5 times more expensive than people without diseases. Elevated glucose levels, arterial hypertension, smoking and obesity cause an increase in the employer’s medical expenses by 34,8; 31,6; 31 and 27,4 %, respectively. The cost of US employers to pay for medical services, to compensate for the absence or ineffective presence due to illness costs $ 200 billion annually – more than $ 1,500 per employee.The health of workers is determined by both risk factors specific to the workplace and general population and individual risks..Modern technologies of health management, changing the profile of the health of labor collectives, can improve the image of the employer and increase the profitability of companies. The return on investment in corporate health programs is from 3 to 10 US dollars for each dollar invested. The programs implemented at the enterprises of the Russian Federation made it possible to reduce the duration of diseases with disability by 20–30 %, reduce mortality and the initial exit to disability by 45–60 %. The widespread introduction of the most effective corporate wellbeing programs of workers in the activities of medical organizations and companies of various profiles will ensure the implementation of the national projects “Healthcare” and “Demography”.

Сlinical and epidemiological analysis of cases of enterovirus infection in the oryol region in adults

Objectives – to identify the clinical and epidemiological features of enterovirus infection in the adult population in the Oryol region, to track the seasonality of the disease, distribution in different age groups, and to assess the main clinical forms, symptoms, and complications.Objects and methods of research. The object of investigation was 24 medical histories of patients who gave informed consent, with a confirmed diagnosis of “enterovirus infection”, the 2 nd infectious diseases Department of Department of Oryol region “City hospital. S.P. Botkin”.Results. For the period from 2009 to 2019 was gospitalizirovany 24 patients with laboratory-confirmed diagnosis “enterovirus infection”. The most patients with this diagnosis were in 2017 – 33,5 %, the least – in 2012 – 4,1 %. In 2013 and 2019, there were no patients. Women were sick more often than men – 55 % of the total number of subjects. After analyzing statistical data, it was found that young people (aged 20–29 years) were sick more often – 58,3 %. There is a summer-autumn seasonality: 45,8 % and 54,2 %, respectively. 37,5 % of the subjects were in contact with infectious SARS patients. 37,5 % also left the Oryol region the day before.Most often, enterovirus exanthema was observed in patients – 58,3 %.. The onset of the disease in 100 % of cases was acute. All patients had fever, most often subfebrile – 54,2 %. The studied patients complained of body aches – 100 %, headaches of various localization and intensity – 96 %, sore throat – 12,5 %, vesicular-papular rash on the skin of the trunk, limbs, and head – 58,3 %, and enanthema on the oropharyngeal mucosa – 12,5 %. In 100 % of cases, the diagnosis was confirmed by a positive polymerase chain reaction response to the presence of enterovirus RNA.Conclusion. The study revealed that over the past 10 years, enterovirus infection in the Oryol region has a consistently low level. It is more common in young people. The disease is characterized by summer and autumn seasonality. In this area, the more common form is enterovirus exanthema.

Heart myxoma under the mask of interstitial lung lesion: a difficult case from practice

The aim of the investigation was to describe a clinical case of the development of interstitial lung lesions in a 57-year-old man with a large left atrial myxoma, which had a reverse development after myxomectomy.Materials and methods. Patient V., 57 years old, was hospitalized in the therapeutic department of the City Clinical Hospital No. 1 named after N. I. Pirogov in connection with bilateral polysegmental pneumonia. A month before hospitalization, he underwent an outpatient examination for progressive dyspnea. Myxoma of the heart was diagnosed. Due to the progression of respiratory failure and the appearance of fever, he was hospitalized. Amidst the multistage antibiotic therapy, there was a torpid course of lung pathology with syndromes of bilateral dissemination and “ground glass”, bilateral lymphadenopathy of the mediastinum, high pulmonary hypertension, and systemic inflammatory reaction syndrome. Thromboembolism of the branches of the pulmonary artery, tuberculosis, sepsis, infective endocarditis, neoplastic processes of pulmonary and other localization were excluded.Results. The clinical picture corresponded to interstitial lung lesions within the framework of paraneoplastic syndrome in heart myxoma. It was decided to urgently carry out myxomectomy.Conclusion. The clinical case demonstrates the development of a rare variant of paraneoplastic syndrome in left atrial myxoma, which was suspected during the patient’s treatment for bilateral polysegmental pneumonia. The progression of the pulmonary lesion was explained by active interstitial inflammation and was supported by the immunological activity of the heart tumor.The performed myxomectomy, despite the persisting syndrome of systemic inflammatory reaction and infiltration of the lung tissue, led in 2 weeks to complete resolution of interstitial lung lesions and pulmonary hypertension, which confirmed the causal relationship between myxoma of the heart and involvement in the pathological process of the lungs.

Cardiac risk stratification in stable coronary artery disease

Despite a gradually decreased mortality from cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease (CAD), they remain the main cause of death in the world. In the coming decades, an increased prevalence of CAD is expected. While methods that are more sensitive are used to diagnose CAD and mortality of the acute forms decreases due to high-tech treatment methods, the prevalence of CAD chronic forms is gradually increasing. According to the modern clinical guidelines, examination and treatment of a particular patient with stable CAD depends on its prognosis, since only in high-risk patients myocardial revascularization can improve life prognosis, however, most patients receive unified therapy. Despite the fact that there are many prognostically significant factors, models and indices developed to assess the risk of death and cardiovascular complications in CAD, a unified approach to risk stratification does not currently exist. The article provides a literary review of how historically the main prognostically significant signs were identified (including clinical anamnestic and psychosocial characteristics, comorbidity, data of non-invasive instrumental studies such as electrocardiography, echocardiography, tests with dosed physical activity, invasive coronary angiography and some of the existing prognostic models and indices that can help a practitioner in stratifying the risk of cardiovascular complications in a patient with stable CAD.

Cellular and molecular aspects of degenerative disc disease and potential strategies of biological therapy

Back pain is one of the main global health problems with a high level of prevalence and patients’ disability. In most cases, it is associated with degenerative spine damage (degenerative disc disease), dorsopathy, discopathy (M51 and M53 according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision), affecting all levels of the intervertebral disc (IVD) (cytological, chemical and biochemical) as a whole as well as biological molecules that regulate homeostasis of the disc intercellular substance (growth factors, pro-inflammatory cytokines, enzymes). A key point in IVD dehydration is that catabolic processes predominate over anabolic ones due to changed gene expression in the corresponding biologically active molecules, disc angiogenesis and neoinnervation of the structures of the fibrous ring and pulpous nucleus. The latter is responsible for chronic pain in patients.Cells supporting homeostasis in nucleus pulpous, chondrocytes, continuously synthesize and restore proteoglycans and hyaluronic acid in nucleus pulpous, restoring shock-absorbing functions of the vertebral-motor segment. Decreased activity and death of chondrocytes in the avascular disc structure is a serious problem for reparative medicine. In accordance with IVD molecular-cellular mechanisms, numerous approaches to treat degenerative disc disease are being developed, each of which, influencing one of the links in the pathogenesis, has a direct or indirect effect on IVD repair.The article describes morphology, pathogenesis and genetics of degenerative disc disease, as well as main modern strategies of biological therapy: tissue engineering, biologically active substances locally used in IVD matrix, including PRP therapy (Platelet Rich Plasma therapy), methods of gene (using the viral vector) and cell therapy, as well as experience in the local use of genetically engineered biological products. Most successful studies are a combination of cell and gene therapy with the use of synthesized matrices.