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Aim: To evaluate the relationship between the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and the marker of procoagulant state - D-dimer in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)., Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study involved adult patients admitted to the University hospital with clinically diagnosed or laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. We compared groups of patients with normal and elevated CAVI. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between risk factors and elevated D-dimer levels; odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated to determine the strength of association. A p <0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: The study included 152 patients [64 (42.1%) men and 88 (57.9%) women], mean age 59.10±12.74 years. 45 (29.6%) had elevated CAVI. Patients with elevated CAVI were older, had more comorbid diseases, a higher Charlson comorbidity index and D-dimer levels. Age, the comorbidity index, and CAVI above 9.5 were associated with elevated D-dimer levels in patients with COVID-19. In a multivariate logistic regression, CAVI above 9.5 was an independent predictor of increased D-dimer in patients with COVID-19 (OR 2.513, 95% CI 1.050-6.012; p =0.038)., Conclusion: In this study, for the first time, the association between a vascular stiffness marker, elevated CAVI, and increased D-dimer levels in COVID-19 patients was shown. This relationship may be a consequence of endothelial dysfunction and can be used as an additional marker of coagulopathy developing as part of COVID-19.

Assesment of arterial stiffness the substantional prognostic factor for evaluating complications of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in patients with atherosclerosis, hypertension and type 2 diabetes, may be performed using different parameters, including cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI). The main purpose of this review is to analyze data from studies where CAVI is used to test the arterial wall stiffness in magistral vessels. CAVI measurement is non-invasive and performed by portable devices which makes it comfortable for ambulatory use in patients who come for a check-up and also in those who already are hospitalized. It does not require any special knowledge from investigator and the test lasts a couple of minutes long. CAVI does not depend on blood pressure changes and is more specific in structural changes of arterial wall assessment than brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). CAVI shows considerable correlation with markers of CVD like atherosclerotic plaques in vessels, diastolic disfunction of left ventricle and angina pectoris. CAVI may be used for early monitoring and assessing the lesions of target organs in patients with atherosclerosis, chronic hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Establishing CAVI as a standart parameter in assessing patients who are at risk of CVD can help to improve complications prevention, reduce mortality and prolong their lifespan.

Over the past few decades, much attention has been paid to the study of the properties of the vascular wall and its role in predicting cardiovascular events. The testing of new indicators characterizing cardiovascular risk is being actively conducted. The study included 288 men aged 40 to 60 years (mean age 51.6 ± 6.2 years). Among the examined 133 people belonged to the category of very high cardiovascular risk (they suffered myocardial infarction for no more than 5 years before inclusion in the study), and 155 patients did not have a history of cardiovascular complications. Using the Fukuda denshi VS-1500 VaSera sphygmograph, a cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and augmentation index (AI) were obtained. A model of multivariate logistic regression was constructed for the probability of assigning the patient to a group of very high risk, as well as ROC analysis. The study demonstrated the statistically significant role of CAVI in predicting the assignment of patients to a group of very high cardiovascular risk (after myocardial infarction). An increase in the odds ratio of assigning a patient to this group with an increase in CAVI per unit is 1.417. According to the results of ROC analysis, the prognostic role of CAVI (AUC 0.70) is slightly inferior to age (AUC 0.75), but exceeds AI (AUC 0.641). The share of variability in the probability of classifying patients as a very high risk group from the influence of the studied factors is 31%. The overall quality of the predictive model can be rated as good (AUC = 0.77).

Objective: To identify correlations between parameters of vascular stiffness and characteristics of the clinical course of acute cerebrovascular accident (stroke)., Material and Methods: Two hundred and seven patients with stroke (mean age 64.6±10.9 years; 115 men) treated in a neurological department of «Municipal Clinical Hospital Br. Bakhrushins of the Health Care Department of Moscow» were studied. All patients underwent a standard neurological and clinical-instrumental examination, including assessment of arterial stiffness by sphygmography. Analysis of the data was carried out depending on the severity of stroke and the pathogenetic subtype of stroke., Results: The pathological value of the CAVI was detected in all patients with cerebral infarction. The highest values were noted in patients with an atherothrombotic subtype of stroke. A positive correlation was revealed between CAVI and the age of patients ( r =0.57; p =0.0001), left ventricular myocardial mass index ( r =0.55; p =0.0001), NIHSS score ( r =0.6; p =0.0001) The inverse correlation was found between CAVI and glomerular filtration rate ( r = -0.4; p =0.02)., Conclusions: The factors determining the severity of stroke are age, arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes, carotid atherosclerosis, left ventricular remodeling, and decreased glomerular filtration rate. The CAV and the toe-brachial index, rather than the ankle-brachial index, significantly distinguished patients with ischemic stroke from patients with transient ischemic attack.

Aim: To study the features of atherosclerosis of peripheral arteries in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) depending on the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to identify factors associated with multifocal atherosclerosis., Materials and Methods: The study included 140 patients (77 men and 63 women) with CAD (mean age 62.0 (56.0-66.0) years). The first group included 70 people with CAD and T2DM, and the second group included 70 patients with CAD without T2DM. All patients underwent duplex scanning of the carotid and lower limb arteries (LLA). Local vascular stiffness of the common carotid artery (CCA) was assessed by ultrasound scanning. The Peterson elasticity modulus, distensibility and strain of the CCA were determined. The ankle - brachial index (ABI) was measured by the Doppler method., Results and Discussion: In the group of patients with T2D, there were statistically more patients with atherosclerotic plaques in both carotid arteries and LLA. Also among patients with T2DM the severity of stenosis of carotid arteries and LLA at all levels was significantly greater. Local carotid stiffness was higher in the first group of patients. The proportion of individuals with reduced ABI.

Aim: to compare various approaches to estimation of vascular age in patients from sample of citizens of Saint-Petersburg (SPB) with arterial pressure (AP) above 130 / 80 mm Hg without history of cardiovascular events., Materials and Methods: Examination of a population sample of SPB citizens (n=1600) was carried out within framework of the observational epidemiological study ESSE-RF (ЭССЕ-РФ) in 2012-2013. We selected from this sample 477 women and man aged 40-65 years without history of cardiovascular events, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease, and AP &gt;130 / 80 mm Hg. Examination included anthropometry, sampling of fasting blood for measurement of lipids, glucose, creatinine levels, urine sampling for determination of albumin excretion, and AP measurement in ac-cordance with standard methods. The SCORE scale was used of evaluation of 10-year risk of fatal stroke and fatal myocardial infarction. Volume sphygmography (VaSera device) was applied for determination of cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) with calculation of vascular age, and ankle-brachial index. ASCORE scale was used for determination of сalculated vascular age was determined with help of the ASCORE scale., Results: Mean age of participants (182 men [38.2 %], 295 women [61.8 %]) was 52.5±6.2 years. Calculated and instrumental methods of determination of vascular age and early vascular aging had low concordance (κ = 0.099). With elevation of cardiovascular risk early vascular aging was more frequently detected by method of its calculation ASCORE than with instrumental method (VaSera). In the absence of achievement of target AP level signs of early vascular aging were significantly more often detected by the method of vascular age calculation than by the instrumental method VaSera., Conclusion: Application of the concept of vascular age and early vascular aging syndrome might be an effective tool for stratification of cardiovascular risk by a physician and improvement of adherence of a patient. This is especially actual for young patients with burdened heredity. One can assume that estimation of virtual risk factor load on blood vessels by the ASCORE method of calculation is more sensitive to detection of premature vascular aging, while requiring less financial and organizational efforts.

Peripheral artery disease is still one of the most important surgical problems. General surgeons treat the majority of patients with chronic lower limb ischemia due to the lack of specialized surgical care. Current methods for risk factors adjustment, exercise therapy and the most common drugs for intermittent claudication management are reviewed in the article. The effect of these medicines on subjective (pain-free walking distance, maximal walking distance, etc.) and objective (ankle-brachial index) parameters and the incidence of complications are analyzed.

Purpose: to identify early markers of development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in women., Materials and Methods: Female firstdegree relatives from 39 families formed 2 groups: families (n=19) containing mothers with arterial hypertension (AH) (group 1) and healthy daughters (group 1a); families (n=20) containing practically heathy mothers (group 2) and healthy daughters (group 2a). We assessed data of anamnesis, including registration of cardiovascular risk factors, and family history of CVD. Examination included registration of anthropometric parameters, automatic and manual measurement of intima-media thickness (IMT) and resistance indexes of brachiocephalic arteries (BCA). We also determined cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), ankle-brachial index (ABI), and measured magnitude of β-adrenoreception of membranes (β-ARM) of erythrocytes in micro-quantities of venous blood., Results: Mothers in both groups of families had excessive body mass or obesity. Mothers of group 1 had more pronounced signs of abdominal obesity (AO). They also had abnormalities of IMT and sings of subclinical atherosclerosis of BCA. CAVI in this group was significantly higher than in group 2. In group 1a median BMI (25.5 kg/m2) and waist/hip ratio were significantly higher than in group 2a. Daughters of group 1a contrary to group 2a had abnormalities of vascular wall: increased automatically measured IMT of carotid arteries and elevated CAVI. Arterial pressure and heart rate (HR) in group 1a were within limits of physiological norm but significantly higher than in group 2a. All included women had elevated β-ARM values but in group 1a this parameter was significantly higher than in group 2a and moderately correlated with HR., Conclusions: Risk factors of CVD development in women are AH, AO, high activity of the sympathoadrenal system. These factors provoke changes of vascular wall (elevation of its stiffness and early subclinical atherosclerosis). In daughters of mothers with AH important prognostic components of CVD risk in addition to family history of CVD are AO, systolic blood pressure (BP) >120 mm Hg, diastolic BP >78 mm Hg, HR approaching upper limit of physiological norm, and high CAVI (indicator of vascular wall stiffness).

Te aim of the study was to evaluate parameters of arterial stiffness (AS) (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf PWV), central pulse pressure (PP), cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and stiffness gradient between aorta and brachial artery) and subclinical atherosclerosis (carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and ankle-brachial index (ABI)) according to inflammatory activity in patients with R., Materials and Methods: 85 patients with R (EULAR/ACR 2010) were examined (age 59,7±14,3 years, 64,7% with arterial hypertension (AH). Median duration of R was 7 years. PWV and central pulse wave were assessed by applanation tonometry. Arterial stiffness gradient was calculated as a ratio between carotid-femoral and carotid-radial PWV: its elevation ≥1 was considered as arterial stiffness mismatch. ABI and CAVI were measured by sphygmometry. CIMT was assessed according to the standard protocol, CIMT≥0,9 mm was considered as a subclinical marker of atherosclerosis. p.

Aim: To identify associations between cognitive impairment and values of ankle-brachial index (ABI) in patients after ischemic stroke at discharge from the hospital and over one-year follow-up., Material and Methods: The study included 375 patients with normal (n=192) and elevated (n=153) ABI who underwent ischemic stroke (IS). Neurological examination was performed using NIHSS, the Rankin scale, Barthel index, Rivermead Mobility Index at discharge from the hospital and over one-year follow-up., Results and Conclusion: Patients with elevated ABI had marked cognitive impairment and more severe neurological deficit compared to patients with normal ABI. Evaluation of ABI can help in predicting the development of post-stroke cognitive impairment in patients with IS.

Aim: To evaluate long-term outcomes of spinal neurostimulation (SNS) in patients with critical lower limb ischemia (CLI)., Material and Methods: Long-term outcomes of SNS were assessed in 52 CLI patients. Changes of clinical status were considered by using of Rutherford R.B. et al. scale. Before and in 12 months after SNS percutaneous oxygen partial pressure (TO 2 , mm Hg) was measured at the affected lower limb at rest and in orthostatic test. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) was also determined., Results: SNS improved clinical status in most cases through following effects: 1) reduced pain syndrome and increased motor activity; 2) skin ulcers healing due to increased TO 2 and improved functional state of microcirculation. No augmentation of TO 2 during orthostatic test at TO 2 <10 mm Hg was associated with negative clinical dynamics after SNS (OR 3.2, CI 2.2-54.1, p=0.002). Coronary artery disease with supra-aortic vessels lesion was associated with reduced ABI after SNS (OR 2.1, CI 1.4-3.8, p=0.001).

Analysed in the article are the results of a comprehensive approach to treatment of patients presenting with lower limb critical ischaemia and diabetes mellitus by means of gene-induced angiogenesis. The study comprised a total of 65 patients found to have an ill-suited for surgical reconstruction peripheral arterial bed and undergoing conservative therapy. The patients were divided into two groups. The Study Group patients additionally to the conventional conservative therapy received 2 intramuscular injections of therapeutic agent Neovasculgen at a course dose of 2.4 mg. The active period of follow up amounted to 6 months followed by evaluating limb salvage and lethal outcomes at a further 6 months thereafter. Efficacy of treatment was determined both by primary criteria (lethality rate, amputations, dynamics of necrosis healing, clinical relief of critical ischaemia) and secondary criteria (pain-free walking distance, ankle-brachial index, transcutaneous oxygen tension, linear velocity of blood flow, the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI) and Neurological Symptom Score (NSS) scale). After 6 months of follow up, the statistical significance in the intragroup and intergroup comparisons was reached for the pain-free walking distance (increment up to 72.9±9.2 m, p=0.032), transcutaneous oxygen tension (increment by 34.4%, p=0.028), linear velocity of blood flow (increment by 65.3%, p=0.047). Induction of angiogenesis also made it possible to statistically significantly decrease the manifestations of diabetic neuropathy, as was evidenced by the data of the MSNI (p=0.009) and the NSS scale (p=0.044). The findings of the study also demonstrated the best value of the limb salvage rate (p=0.049) and a lower number of lethal complications at 1 year of follow up.

Stiffness of the arterial wall and predicted vascular age as a predictor of cardiovascular disease when stress-induced hypertension in the military personnel. On the basis of the study of 156 men aged 30-55 years are considered diagnostic methods for stress-induced hypertension in the military personnel. Furthermore, using modern diagnostic methods determined stress effect on the development of stress-induced hypertension, and also the risk of cardiovascular diseases. In order to detect early signs of atherosclerosis used sphygmography, by means of which was determined by cardio ankle vascular index (CA VI), as well as the calculated vascular age. The study proposed a set of organizational, diagnostic and therapeutic measures to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases among military personnel exposed to occupational stressful load.

Aim: To investigate factors associated with pathological cardio-ankle vascular and ankle-brachial indices (CAVI and ABI) in patients with carbohydrate metabolic disorders (CMD)., Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the framework of the multicenter epidemiological study "Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Diseases and Their Risk Factors in the Russian Federation" (ESSE-RF) in March to October 2013. The standard ESSE-RF protocol was extended by an additional study of peripheral arterial stiffness, by estimating CAVI and ABI automatically. A sample of 1619 people was formed in several stages, in which 311 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and prediabetes were identified and divided into 3 groups: 1) 41 patients with pathological CAVI values (≥9.0); 2) 241 with normal CAVI (<9.0); 3) 29 with pathological ABI (<0.9)., Results: In the population-based sample of patients with CMD, the pathological CAVI values (≥9.0) were detected in 14.5%, and the pathological ABI was in 9.3% of the examinees. Regression analysis showed that the pathological vascular indices (both CAVI and ABI) were significantly associated with increases in blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR), and a decrease in glomerular filtration rate. At the same time, only the pathological CAVI was associated with advancing age (odds ratio (OR), 1.111; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.050-1.176; p < 0.001), visceral obesity (OR, 3.088; 95% CI, 1.001-10.495; p=0.038), smoking duration (OR, 1.093; 95% CI, 1.008-1.185; p=0.009), prior stroke (OR, 4.695; 95% CI, 1.408-15.658; p=0.018), and a need for insulin therapy (OR, 18.947; 95% CI, 1.902- 87.783; p=0.006). The pathological ABI was associated with male sex (OR, 2.227; 95% CI, 1.040-4.765; p=0.039), prior myocardial infarction (OR, 8.646; 95% CI, 2.174-34.378; p=0.005), obesity (OR, 2.439; 95% CI, 1.010-5.889; p=0.034); hyperglycemia (OR, 2.439; 95% CI, 1.010-5.889; p=0.034), hyperuricemia (OR, 4.009; 95% CI, 1.850-8.684; p=0.033), and increases in triglyceride levels (OR, 2.984; 95% CI, 1.376-6.470; p=0.004) and CAVI (OR, 1.193; 95% CI, 1.034-1.377; p=0.005)., Conclusion: The pathological vascular indices CAVI and ABI are associated with different risk factors for cardiovascular events in a cohort of patients with CMD. The common factors associated with both CAVI and ABI are increases in blood pressure and HR and a reduction in glomerular filtration rate. The common factors associated with both CAVI and ABI are increases in blood pressure and HR and a reduction in glomerular filtration rate.

Presented herein are comparative remote results of combined surgical treatment of 121 patients with stage IIB-III lower limb chronic ischaemia (LLCI) by means of indirect revascularization (lumbar sympathectomy--LSE and revascularizing osteotrepanation of the tibial bone--ROT) and gene therapy using the first registered Russian gene therapeutic agent Neovasculgen®. Depending on the LLCI degree and the method of treatment, during 3 years we assessed such parameters as the limb salvage rate, pain-free walk distance (PFWD), ankle-brachial index (ABI) and linear blood velocity (LBV). An increase in the PFWD in patients with initial stage IIB LLCI in the group of gene therapy was considerably higher than in other types of treatment (p=0.0001-0.0004). Using indirect methods of revascularization was accompanied and followed by less positive alterations in the PFWD values which by the end of the third year of follow up were observed to decrease. The values of PFWD after ROT at 2 and 3 years were higher than after LSE (p=0.006). During the first year of follow up the highest increment of the ABI was observed after ROT. At two years, the ABI values after ROT and gene therapy became equal. The worst result during 3 years as compared with other methods of treatment was demonstrated by LSE (p=0.006). Changes in ABI after gene therapy were statistically significant at all terms of follow up (p=0.008-0.02). There were no limb amputations in the remote period of follow up in patients with the initial stage IIB of the disease. Patients with initial stage III LLCI also showed a considerably better result by the increment of increased PFWD after gene-therapeutic treatment (p=0.001-0.0005). A small increment of the PFWD after LSE maintained during 1 year and after LSE during 2 years. The ABI values in all periods of follow up were higher after gene therapy (p=0.01-0.003). During the 2- and 3-year period the increment of this parameter after ROT was more significant than after LSE (p=0.046-0.05). Changes in the ABI after gene therapy at all terms also turned out to be more substantial (p=0.03-0.008). An increase in the LBV during the first and second years after ROT turned out more significant as compared to LSE (p=0.05). The limb salvage rate in patients with initial stage III LLCI during the whole period after gene therapy amounted to 78%, after ROT being 54% and after LSE equalling 45%.

Aim: To study the clinical significance of the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in patients with stroke., Material and Methods: The study included 374 post-stroke patients. The state of peripheral arteries was assessed using CAVI and the ankle-shoulder index (ASI)., Results and Conclusion: The pathological CAVI (>9.0) was identified in 45.4% patients, the reduced ASI (<0.9) in 19.8% patients. Stressful factors of daily life, hypodynamia, lack of work, low education were characteristic of the patients with pathological CAVI and ASI compared to those with normal CAVI. The frequency of diabetes mellitus, clinical signs of peripheral atherosclerosis, chronic heart failure and atrial fibrillation was higher in these patients as well. Ischemic stroke was more frequent in patients with peripheral atherosclerosis and higher vascular wall rigidity. Assessments of CAVI and ASI are necessary in patients with ischemic stroke to identify those with higher vascular wall rigidity and peripheral atherosclerosis and to undertake targeted preventive measures.

Analysed herein are the results of treating a total of 139 patients presenting with stage II chronic lower limb ischaemia. The patients were subdivided into three groups, depending on the variant of treatment performed. Group One patients (n=57) received standard conservative therapy combined with ozone therapy, with the Group being further subdivided into two subgroups: patients of subgroup 1a (n=28) were subjected to intravenous administration of ozonated physiological solution (OPS), subgroup 1b patients (n=29) were given big autohemoozonetherapy (BAT). Group Two patients (n=62) underwent complex treatment including beside medical ozone gravitation therapy (GT). Group Two patients were also subdivided into two subgroups: subgroup 2a patients (n=31) received standard conservative therapy combined with OPS and GT, subgroup 2b patients (n=31) received standard conservative therapy in combination with BAT and GT. Group Three (Control Group) was composed of 20 patients receiving standard conservative therapy alone. The highest efficacy was observed in the subgroup of patients receiving OPS and GT, with the patients of this subgroup showing a statistically significant increase in the pain-free walking distance by 116.5% and in the ankle-brachial index by 49.2%, also demonstrating the most pronounced positive dynamics of lipid metabolism parameters: a decrease in total cholesterol by 21.3%, low density lipoproteins by 25.4%, very low density lipoproteins by 24.2% and triglycerides by 18.5%. Besides, a tendency was observed towards normalization of the haemostasis system indices: fibrinogen decreased by 21.8%, prothrombin index by 13%, fibrin monomer complexes retraction by 18.2%, and the clotting time increased by 20.7%. Hence, combined use of ozonated physiological solution and gravitation therapy in treatment of patients with stage II chronic lower limb ischaemia promotes a considerable increase in the pain-free walking distance and ankle-brachial index, as well as contributes to correction of lipid metabolic disorders and haemocoagulation.

The authors share their experience in comprehensive conservative treatment of patients presenting with chronic lower limb ischaemia (CLLI) associated with atherosclerosis of peripheral arteries by means of the first Russian registered gene therapeutic agent "Neovasculgen" (plasmid with the vegf165 gene), analysing the long-term outcomes of treating a total of 45 patients with stage II and III CLLI according to the classification of Pokrovsky-Fontain. The patients were followed up for 5 years. Efficacy of treatment was assessed by registering the dynamics of the pain-free walking distance (PFWD), linear blood velocity (LBV), ankle-brachial index (ABI), as well as the limb salvage rate and survival of patients. All patients showed good tolerance of treatment, with neither side effects nor complications noted. Clinical improvement in stage IIB CLLI was observed in 91% of patients with complete stabilization of the clinical course during 5 years. The limb salvage rate in this group amounted to 95%, with the survival rate equalling 82%. In patients with stage III CLLI, improvement was noted in 78% of cases, manifesting itself by a decrease of its degree to stage IIB (44.4%) and to stage IIA (33.3%). Progression of CLLI followed by amputation was registered in 22% of cases, with the survival rate of 78%. Hence, the use of a single course of combined treatment including the gene therapeutic agent "Neovasculgen" in patients with stage II and III CLLI resulted in a persistent positive effect in a considerable majority of patients in the remote period of not less than 5 years.

The authors analysed immediate and remote results of primary "open" reconstructive operations and arterial reconstructions performed after previous stenting of lower-limb arteries. The study comprised a total of 93 patients presenting with lower-limb critical ischaemia. Group One consisted of 46 patients with localization of the lesion of lower-limb arteries above the inguinal ligament. Group Two was composed of 47 patients with localization of lower-limb arteries lesions below the inguinal ligament. Each group was subdivided into two subgroups: subgroups Ia and IIa included patients with previously endured stenting of arteries of the respective segment (23 and 22 patients, respectively), subgroups Ib and IIb included patients previously not subjected to either endovascular or surgical treatment (23 and 25 patients, respectively). All patients underwent "open" reconstructive vascular operations. The outcomes of intervention were assessed at the hospital stage, as well as at 6, 12 and 36 months of consecutive follow up. After 8 months of follow up patency of the shunts in all patients amounted to 100%, with the lower-limb salvage rate of 100%. After 1 year, despite differences between subgroups in each group, they were not statistically significant (p>0.05). After 3 years differences in shunts' patency and lower limb salvage rate in subgroups IIa and IIb were statistically significant (p<0.05). By the increment of the ankle-brachial index, the best result after 3 years was achieved in patients with primary arterial reconstruction (subgroups Ib and IIb) as compared to patients with previously endured endovascular interventions. The conclusion was drawn that shunts patency, limb salvage rate and increment of the ankle-brachial index in the remote period after performing primary arterial reconstructions below the Poupart's ligament were better than in patients with previously endured endovascular interventions.

The results of examination of patients, suffering chronic ischemia of the lower extremities (LE) stages IIB - III (according to Fontaine), in whom preparation Neovasculgen was used in complex of medicinal therapy, were presented. In terms of follow-up before 12 months the distance, which the patients passed before the pain occurrence, have enhanced by 92.2%, and the ankle-brachial index--by 30.9%. Complications while application of the preparation were absent. Due to the treatment conducted there were LE saved and the patients' quality of life improved.

Objective: to analyze correspondence between determination of vascular age of patients with cardiovascular diseases by volumetric sphygmography and their chronological age, and to assess the influence of lipid factors and atherosclerotic lesions in carotid arteries (CA) on parameters associated with the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI)., Material and Methods: Clinical, laboratory and instrumental examination which included volumetric sphygmography was carried out in 185 patients with various cardiovascular diseases. Calculated vascular age was determined on the basis of graphic conversion of ratio of CAVI and true age of a patient., Results: Calculated vascular age exceeded chronological age in 43 patients (23.4%). Analysis of the data obtained in this subgroup, except natural interrelation between such characteristics as age, ankle-brachial index, CAVI and calculated vascular age revealed statistically significant correlations (p < 0.05) between following parameters: R-CAVI and male gender (r = 0.35), calculated vascular age (based on R-CAVI) and TG (r = -0,34), L-CAVI and BMI (r = -0.36), R-ABI and the presence of atherosclerotic plaques in carotid arteries (r = -9.34). Comparison of influence of lipid factors and CA atherosclerotic lesions on CAVI associated parameters revealed no significant differences between groups., Conclusion: Volumetric sphygmography with calculation of vascular age is an easily reproducible and accessible method of screening of early changes in the vascular wall. Determination of vascular age of patients with cardiovascular diseases by volumetric sphygmography suggests advisability of thorough medical examination at least in a quarter of total number of patients.

The authors share their experience in treating a total of 100 patients presenting with stage 2A-3 chronic lower limb ischaemia according to the classification of Pokrovsky-Fontain (the clinical group was composed of 75 patients and the control group comprised 25 subjects), in whom it was impossible to perform surgical revascularization. The clinical group patients received in addition to the conventional vascular therapy local intramuscular injections of Neovasculogen (plasmid genetic construction containing human gene VEGF165) at a course dose of 2.4 mg. The results were assessed after 1 year. It was shown that administration of this gene therapeutic agent is safe with no local or systemic allergic reactions and free form neoplastic processes. Efficacy of treatment was assessed by registering the pain-free walking distance (PFWD), transcutaneous oxygen tension (TCPO2), linear velocity of blood flow, ankle-brachial index (ABI), angiography, and by means of SF-36 questionnaire. It was determined that after 12 months the statistical significance of intergroup and intragroup differences was reached for PFWD (increment 167.2%), TCPO2 (increment 20.4%). The highest clinical response for the PFWD was registered in patients with stage 3 of the disease (547.5%), as well as in those with multi-storey vascular lesions (269.1%). The obtained findings make it possible to consider gene therapy with Neovasculogen as an efficient component of comprehensive treatment of this cohort of patients.

Objective: The study was aimed at assessing efficacy and safety of administering the generic alprostadil VAP in patients presenting with lower limb critical ischaemia., Material and Methods: We carried out a prospective study including a total of 30 patients with lower limb critical ischaemia. The patients' mean age was 67.7±7.8 years, with men predominating - 60%. Trophic ulcers were observed in 40% of patients. The proximal level of the lesion was localized in the arteries below the inguinal ligament in 19 (63.3%) patients, in the aortofemoral segment - in 9 (30%) patients, and in the popliteal-crural-plantar segment - in 2 (6.6%) subjects. The average ankle-brachial index amounted to 0.49±0.4. The studied agent was used at a dose of 40 mcg once a day in patients with stage III ischaemia and a dose of 40 mcg twice daily in patients with stage IV ischaemia. The drug was administered for 14 days followed by a 14-day follow-up period., Results: The pain syndrome score over the 14 days of treatment decreased twofold from 6.1±2.5 to 3.5±2.6 and within the subsequent 14 days it did not increase - 2.4±3.1 (p< 0.05). The number of patients in whom the pain syndrome decreased by 50% amounted to 19 (63.3%). The consumption of analgesic agents decreased from 60% (at the beginning of treatment) to 12 (40%) (14 days after treatment) and to 8 (26.6%) (at the end of the follow-up period). In patients with trophic ulcers, the average size of the ulcers during treatment decreased from 3.3±3.7 cm to 2.8±3.8 after 14 days, and at the end of the follow-up period the size of the ulcers amounted to 2.1±2.8 cm (p >0.05). The number of patients responding to treatment amounted to 22 (77.3%). The ABI during treatment did not change, being 0.49 ± 0.4 at the beginning of treatment, 0.53±0.4 after 14 days of treatment, and 0.47±0.3 at the end of the follow-up period. There were no amputations either during treatment or within the follow-up period. Only one lethal outcome occurred which was related to acute coronary insufficiency. The "response to treatment" was significantly influenced only by the level of the proximal lesion and age (p<0.05)., Conclusion: VAP 20® demonstrated good efficacy and tolerability comparable to those of the original preparations.

Aim: To study a relationship between thyroid function and the stiffness of great arteries in postmenopausal women with arterial hypertension (AH)., Subjects and Methods: The trial enrolled 76 postmenopausal patients with clinical hypothyroidism (CHT) (n = 24) or subclinical hypothyroidism (SCHT) (n = 52) and AH; a control group consisted of 40 postmenopausal women with euthyroidism. Body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumferences, blood pressure (BP), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, total cholesterol, triglycerides were determines; volumetric sphygmography was performed. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was measured; cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and ankle-brachial index (ABI) were determined., Results: The patients with CHT or SCHT and the controls were matched for age, BMI, BP, and heart rate. TSH levels in patients with SCHT (6.23 (5.27; 8.22) microU/ml) and in those with CHT (11.8 (9.09; 22.7) microU/ml) were statistically significantly higher than in the control group (2.25 (1.5; 2.72) microU/ml) (p < 0.05). BaPWV in the patients with SCHT (14.35 (12.5; 15.5) m/sec) and in those with CHT (13.75 (13.05; 15.25) m/sec) was also statistically significantly higher than in the control group (12.85 (12; 13.9) m/sec) (p < 0.05). Comparison of ABI and CAVI revealed no significant differences between the groups. Univariate analysis of the findings showed a significant impact on higher arterial stiffness in the SCHT and the CHT groups. Total cholesterol levels were significantly higher in the SCHT group than in the control one., Conclusion: The patients with AH and hypothyroidism versus their peers with AH and without thyroid function had significant rises in blood cholesterol levels and arterial stiffness. The rise in lipid levels was significantly marked only in the patients with SCHT; and baPWV equally increased in both the SCHT and the CHT groups.

Aim: To study relationships between nonspecific inflammation (NI) of the arterial wall and its structural changes in Stages I-II hypertensive disease (HD) males at moderate and high risks of cardiovascular events (CVE)., Subjects and Methods: Sixty hypertensive males aged 30 to 65 years (mean age 44 +/- 2 years), including 35 patients with grade 1 arterial hypertension (AH) and 25 with grade 2 AH at moderate and high risks of CVE, were examined. The concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and methylglyoxal (MG) were measured. Pulse wave propagation velocity (PWPV) and ankle brachial index (ABI) were studied. Normal PWPV values were calculated in terms of gender and age features., Results: The examined HD group showed a positive correlation of PWPV with systolic blood pressure over 24 hours (r=0.39; p < 0.02) and age (r = 0.47; p < 0.01). In smoking and nonsmoking hypertensive men, PWPV differences failed to achieve statistical significance (14.05 +/- 0.53 and 13.07 +/- 0.38 m/sec, respectively). PWPW was found to be correlated with CRP values weakly (r = 0.31; p = 0.07) and with MG levels moderately (r = 0.62; p < 0.01); there were also positive relationships of ABI to the levels of CRP (r = 0.50; p < 0.01) and MG (r = 0.46; p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between CRP and MG levels (r = 0.45; p = 0.01)., Conclusion: In middle-aged men with grades 1-2 AH at moderate and high risks of CVE, NI processes are not only related to MG metabolism, but also they have a substantial effect on the elastic properties of the wall of predominantly muscle-elastic type arteries, which validates the hypothesis of the involvement of NI processes in the course of HD.

Reflected in the article is experience in treating a total of 24 patients suffering from lower limb chronic ischaemia and diagnosed as having concomitant lesions of the aortofemoral and femoropopliteal segments, with a total of 24 hybrid operations performed. Of these, nineteen interventions consisted of implanting a stent graft into iliac arteries and revascularization of the femoropopliteal segment, whereas the remaining five cases included balloon angioplasty of the iliac artery with revascularization of the femoropopliteal segment. Good immediate outcomes were obtained in 23 patients. The ankle-brachial index increased averagely from 0.38 to 0.88. The remote outcomes (from 12 months to 5 years) were followed up in fifteen patients. Cumulative patency of the bypass grafts after 1, 3 and 5 years amounted to 78%, 41.5% and 41.5%, respectively. The cumulative survival rates after 1, 3 and 5 years equalled 90.8%, 76.2% and 76.2%, respectively. All extremities were eventually spared, with the long-term limb salvage rate thus amounting to 100%.

This 5-year long prospective cohort study of 124 young and middle-aged patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) initially without signs of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) aimed at estimating the risk and predictors of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications. The patients remained under observation till the following end-points were reached: coronary heart disease, chronic heart failure, disturbed cerebral circulation, cardiovascular death. The following predictors of unfavourable outcome were analysed: CVD risk factors, RA inflammatory activity, and markers of preclinical CVD. Ultrasonic scanning, dopplerography of common and internal carotid arteries, echocardiography, and determination of ankle-brachial index were used. 15 patients reached the end-points; specifically 6 cases of CVD, 4 cerebrovascular complications, and 5 deaths were documented. The total proportion of those survived without CVD was 0.88 (an equivalent to 15 (12%) of the observed events). Survival time till the end-points was 2.41+-1.54 years. CRP level 24 mg/l or higher (odd ratio 3.09, 95% CI 1.03-9.29), smoking (odd ratio 6.6, 95% CI 2.05-21.21), presence of atherosclerotic plaques (odd ratio 6.6, 95% CI 2.05-21.21) and calcinated plaques (odd ratio 8.95, 95% CI 1.36-47.03) in carotid arteries, SCORE risk >5% (odd ratio 19.82, 95% CI 3.25-41.75) were predictors of unfavourable prognosis in RA patients for the nearest 5 years. These data emphasize the necessity of thorough examination of RA patients for asymptotic atherosclerosis taking account of inflammatory activity and CVD risk factors for the optimization of early diagnostics and prediction of CVD.

Aim: To comparatively analyze the following parameters of the subclinical manifestations of atherosclerosis: carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), the presence and number of carotid atherosclerotic plaques (ASP), ankle brachial pulse wave velocity (ABPWV) in patients from 2 (active and conventional observation) groups at low and moderate risks according to the SCORE scale in two-year outpatient practice., Subjects and Methods: A screening could select 600 able-bodied persons (445 women and 155 men) aged 30 to 65 years at low and moderate risks (according to the SCORE scale without atherosclerosis-associated diseases who were divided into 2 groups: A) active observation (n =400) and B) conventional medical management tactics (n = 200). Five hundred and seven (85%) persons (339 in Group A and 168 in Group B) completed the study following 2 years. Carotid duplex scanning, computed sphygmography, and biochemical tests for blood lipid composition were performed. The delta index (%) calculated by the special formula, by subtracting the results during the first visit from those obtained 2 years later, was used to statistically analyze the time course of changes in the parameters under study., Results: Delta IMT (%) statistically significantly increased in Group B men as compared to that in Group A men (p = 0.042). The delta parameter of total carotid stenosis, which reflected the percentage of the latter, proved to be high in both Group B women and men (p = 0.0001) and the persons with a larger number of ASP were statistically significantly more in Group B (p = 0.035). Delta ABPWV (%) was also greater in Group B (p = 0.001)., Conclusion: Just after 2 years, the active medical observation tactics in patients at low and moderate risks (according to the SCORE scale) can result in a reduction in the rate of subclinical atherosclerosis progression in the carotid artery.

Presented herein are the outcomes of using autologous peripheral blood stem cells (SCs) in patients with stage II В lower limb chronic obliterating diseases (according to A.V. Pokrovsky's classification). Autologous SCs had previously been stimulated by means of the recombinant granulocytic colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) for five days. On day six, we performed mobilization of the peripheral blood stem cells on the MSC+ unit by means of leukopheresis followed by intramuscular administration of half of the obtained dose into the affected extremity. The mean number of the transplanted mononuclears amounted to 6.73 ± 2.2 x 10(9) cells, with the number of CD34+ cells averaging 2.94 ± 2.312 x 10(7). Assessing the therapeutic outcomes at 3 and 6 months of follow-up showed a statistically significant increase in the ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) [being at baseline 0.59 ± 0.04, at 3 months - 0.66 ± 0.04 (P=0.001), and after 6 months - 0.73 ± .08 (P=0.035)], accompanied and followed by improved measures of the treadmill test, with the pain-free walking distance at baseline equalling 102.2 ± 11.55 m, after 3 months - 129 ± 11.13 m (P<0.001), and after 6 months - 140 ± 13.11 m=0.021 vs baseline). The findings of the immunohistochemical study confirmed the development of neoangiogenesis in the skeletal muscle and a 25 percent increase in the capillary-network density following administration of autologous stem cells into the muscle. The method of transplanting peripheral-blood autologous stem cells for treatment of patients presenting with distal forms of chronic obliterating insufficiency of the lower limbs proved safe and efficient. The findings obtained during this study made it possible to recommend extending the indications for its application at the expense of patients with critical ischaemia.

Aim: To ascertain whether high arterial rigidity is obligatory in arterial hypertension (AH) and the presence of AH is obligatory in patients with rigid arteries., Material and Methods: Volume sphygmography (VS) was made in 153 patients aged 60-86 years: 96 patients with untreated AH of degree 1-3 (40 males aged 71.0 +/- 7.6 years) and 57 normotensive subjects without cardiovascular symptoms (31 males aged 66.6 +/- 6.2 years). VS measured ankle-shoulder velocity of the pulse wave (PWVas) and cardiac-ankle vascular index (CAVI). PWVas > M+STD and CAVI > M+2STD (STD is deviation from mean value) were considered above normal for the age., Results: Hypertensive patients had significantly higher arterial rigidity than normotensives (PWVas 178 +/- 3.0 and 15.6 +/- 2.3 m/s, respectively, p = 0.00001); CAVI--9.7 +/- 2.1 and 8.6 +/- 1.1, respectively, p = 0.0003). Arterial rigidity in hypertensive patients occurred significantly more frequently than in normotensive subjects: by PWVas in 46 and 25% cases (p = 0.01), by CAVI--in 41 and 5% cases (p < 0.0001), respectively. It is essential that arterial rigidity was not increased in 54% hypertensive patients by PWVas and in 75% by CAVI., Conclusion: PWVas and CAVI were higher in elderly hypertensives than in elderly normotensives but elevated arterial rigidity was not obligatory in hypertensives while 25% elderly normotensives had it. Thus, elevated arterial rigidity is an essential but not obligatory mechanism of AH development in the elderly.

Purpose: To elucidate factors associated with an established marker of occlusive atherosclerosis of lower extremities - low ankle-brachial index (ABI) - in patients with diabetes mellitus or prediabetes., Methods: We examined 182 patients with diabetes (n=158), impaired glucose tolerance (n=17), or impaired fasting glucose (n=7). We analyzed history, demographic parameters, anthropometric data (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference), levels of plasma high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, degree of glycemic control, and presence of signs of atherosclerosis of other localizations., Results: ABI was < or = 0.9 in 47/182 patients (23.6%). Patients with ABI < or = 0.9 were older, more often had history of smoking (p<0.001). They also had higher leukocyte count (p=0.002). Body mass index was elevated in most patients, however it was lower in those with decreased ABI (29.8+/-4.4 and 32.1+/-5.2 in patients with ABI < or = 0.9 and >0.9, respectively, p=0.006). Factors independently related to ABI < or = 0.9 were age (OR 1.12; 95%CI 1.05-1.19; p=<0,001), history of smoking (OR 7.06, 95%CI 2.23-22.3, p=0.001), leukocyte count (OR 1.36; 95% CI 1.05-1.75, p=0.019), and BMI (OR 0.856, 95%CI 0.768-0.995). Leukocyte count above 7.6 x 10(3)/mm(3) compared with that < or = 7.6 x 10(3)/mm(3) was associated with more than 3 fold increase of OR (3.38, 95%CI 1.49-7.48, p=0.003). BMI <30.8 conferred almost similar increase of risk to have ABI < or = 0.9 (OR 2.9, 95%CI 1.28-6.73, p=0.011). None of biochemical parameters including characteristics of control of glycemia was related to the presence of low ABI., Conclusion: In this group of mostly overweight patients with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes besides such classical factors as age and smoking white blood cells count but not lipids were associated with low ABI. Observed association of low ABI with smaller BMI within overall increased range is in line with some recent clinical reports but requires confirmation in specially designed studies.