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Introduction. In conditions of the Emergency Cardiology Department, a timely and differential diagnosis of myocardial pathology is especially important in the absence of visible focal changes and significant coronary artery stenosis. This group of patients includes recipients of a transplanted heart, when it is difficult to count on the high sensitivity of perfusion images alone. This can be explained by the diffuse, balanced distribution of ischemia.Objective. To present the possibilities of perfusion myocardial single photon emission computed tomography synchronized with electrocardiography for a detailed assessment of the functional condition of both ventricles of the transplanted heartMaterial and methods. We have presented three clinical case reports of the patients with different pathology of the transplanted heart who referred themselves to the emergency cardiology clinic and underwent electrocardiographysynchronized perfusion myocardial single photon emission computed tomography for diagnostic purposes.Results. In all the cases presented, the radionuclide study influenced making the diagnosis and changing the treatment tactics. In the first case, it was possible to identify focal myocardial changes, for which coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention with thromboextraction were immediately performed. In the second case, the image analysis reflecting the function of the myocardium (polar maps of wall movement and systolic thickening) allowed us to note a low efficacy of treatment for the transplanted heart rejection. In the third clinical case, the initial single photon emission computed tomography suggested the inflammatory nature of changes in the myocardium, which was verified by the results of endomyocardial biopsy.Conclusion. In the presented clinical cases, the urgently performed electrocardiography-synchronized perfusion myocardial single photon emission computed tomography made it possible to perform invasive interventions in time and thereby contribute to the recovery of the graft functional state and patient's condition improvement.

Aim. To evaluate the intersystemic (between the myocardium of the left coronary artery system and the right coronary artery system redistribution mechanisms of perfusion in the myocardium after revascularization in patients with coronary artery disease with focal cardiosclerosis using gated single photon emission computed tomography. Сardiosclerosis foci were initially identified by magnetic resonance imaging. Material and Methods. The study included 17 patients with coronary artery disease with multivessel coronary disease and large-focal cardiosclerosis according to the results of magnetic resonance imaging with contrast; the diagnosis of left ventricular aneurysm was established in 14 patients, the focal subendocardial cardiosclerosis was diagnosed in 3 patients. For various reasons, all patients underwent myocardial revascularization without the left ventricle reconstruction (coronary artery bypass grafting in 10 patients, percutaneous coronary intervention in 7 patients). Magnetic resonance imaging was used as the gold standard for focal cardiosclerosis before revascularization. All patients before and after revascularization underwent gated single photon emission computed tomography with MIBI scan. During the initial analysis of peaks on the profile slices of coronal and transversal midsections passing along the lateral walls of the left and right ventricles, we did not notice a clear visualization of in 8 patients (group 1), while an increased MIBI scan accumulation in the right ventricle myocardium was clearly visualized in 9 patients (group 2). Based on the peaks height of profile curves, we compared changes in the maxima of radiopharmaceutical accumulation before and after revascularization in the lateral walls of the left ventricle and right ventricle. All studies were performed using the original Cardiac Functional Imaging medical program in order to obtain quantitative information about the myocardial function of both the left ventricle, and also the right ventricle. This program made it possible to highlight the right ventricle area even in the case of its weak visualization through the initial formation of parametric images, where the right ventricle area was visualized. Results. When comparing the revascularization results of the two groups, we noted that the left ventricle ejection fraction increased significantly only in patients without initial visualization of the right ventricular myocardium. Left ventricle ejection fraction did not change after revascularization in patients with initially increased accumulation of the radiopharmaceutical in the right ventricle. Globally, only an improvement in the diastolic function of the left and right ventricles was noted in the latter group of patients. In addition, an increase in the right ventricular uptake level was noted for patients with focal cardiosclerosis and the initially increased uptake in the right ventricle after the maximum possible complete myocardial revascularization, which may indicate a redistribution of perfusion in favor of a more intact right ventricular myocardium. Conclusions. 1. In patients without signs of increased visualization of the right ventricle (group 1) after revascularization, we revealed a statistically significant increase in the left ventricle ejection fraction (p-value=0.024), a decrease in the end-systolic volume (p-value=0.024), an increase in the motion in segments corresponding to the peri-infarct scar zone (p-value=0.016), and a change in systolic thickening in the segment of the basal parts of the anterolateral wall (p-value=0.046). 2. Initially increased visualization of the right ventricle in patients with extensive focal cardiosclerosis in the myocardium of the left ventricle suggests the absence of the left ventricle ejection fraction increase after myocardial revascularization. 3. An increase in the visualization of the right ventricle after complete myocardial revascularization indicates an intersystemic redistribution of perfusion in favor of the preserved myocardium of this part of the heart.

BACKGROUND Numerous studies have shown that coronary reperfusion with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) improves outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, the question of the effect on the myocardium as a whole of an isolated intervention on an infarct-related artery in multivessel coronary disease remains incompletely studied.AIM OF STUDY To study the features of perfusion redistribution and myocardial function using perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in patients with STEMI and multivessel coronary disease after isolated PCI on an infarct-related artery.MATERIAL AND METHODS SPECT-ECG (electrocardiography) was performed in 32 patients (27 men and 5 women) with STEMI. According to the ECG results, the location of focal myocardial changes was regarded as “lower” MI in 19 (59%) patients, “anterior” in 13 patients (41%). Coronary angiography revealed a multivessel lesion of the coronary vessels in all of them. The patients were divided into groups according to the location of the infarction and the area of the lesion: group 1 — lower MI (stenting of the right coronary artery (RCA) and its branches) — 19 patients (mean age — 57.7±2.5; median — 55 [51.5; 63.5]), of which 8 with small-focal (1a) and 11 with large-focal infarction (1b); group 2 — anterior MI (stenting of the left coronary artery (LCA) and its branches) — 13 patients (mean age — 55.4±3.5; median — 54 [48.5; 62.5]), of which 5 with small-focal (2a) and 8 with large-focal infarction (2b). SPECT-ECG was performed 3 times: 1st — on days 2–3 after PCI of the infarct-related artery, 2nd — 6 days after PCI, and 3rd — 6 months after PCI.RESULTS After RCA stenting in patients with lower MI and multivessel coronary disease, SPECT-ECG revealed a statistically significant decrease in local contractility of individual segments of the anterior septal and lateral walls (with sufficient revascularization of the RCA system) and worsening of perfusion and right ventricular (RV) volumes. After stenting of the LCA branches in patients with anterior MI and multivessel coronary disease, a statistically significant decrease in local contractility in the basal segment of the diaphragmatic wall was observed, as well as impaired perfusion and an increase in the volume of the RV (with successful revascularization of the anterior interventricular branch). All these findings could be the result of partial steal of the blood supply to neighboring areas and myocardial remodeling after PCI in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease.CONCLUSION 1. According to the data of single-photon emulsion computed tomography synchronized with electrocardiography in the early and late period of myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with multivessel coronary disease, there is a significant improvement in perfusion and function of the infarct-associated artery system. 1. Recanalization of only the left coronary artery with remaining stenoses in the right coronary artery in the long-term period can lead to an increase in the size of the cavity of the right ventricle of the heart and uneven distribution of perfusion in its The revealed statistically significant disturbances in perfusion and local contractility of neighboring areas after percutaneous coronary intervention of an infarct-related artery may be the result of steal of the blood supply and early myocardial remodeling in multivessel disease. 3. Disturbances in perfusion and local contractility in neighboring myocardial blood supply pools after percutaneous coronary intervention of an infarct-related artery dictates the need to repeated single-photon emulsion computed tomography synchronized with electrocardiography as early as possible in patients with multivessel coronary disease in order to assess the redistribution of perfusion and myocardial remodeling for timely complete revascularization, preventing recurrent coronary

A case of acute focal myocardial injury in a polymorbid female patient with intact coronary arteries according to direct coronary angiography is reported. Acute focal myocardial injury was detected by ECG-synchronized perfusion single-photon emission computed tomogra-phy (SPECT) of the myocardium, and confirmed by the results of postmortem examination. The article also discusses the possibility of using perfusion SPECT to diagnose acute focal changes against the background of focal inflammatory myocardial infiltration.

Introduction. Cardiovascular diseases rank leading in the world. The decompensation of chronic heart failure is the direct cause of death in most patients. The choice of a definitive treatment tactics is the key factor in these patients.Clinical case. A patient who had experienced myocardial Q-infarction with an ST segment elevation of anterior septal location complicated by the left ventricle anterior wall aneurysm and a decreased myocardial contractility was hospitalized with subcompensated chronic heart failure. Previously, and initially with that hospitalization, the patient was considered a candidate for heart transplantation. After the examination, a decision was made on the possibility of a multi-component reconstructive heart surgery, which was performed with a good clinical effect.Conclusion. The presented clinical case has confirmed the possibility of correcting the combined pathology in a patient with low myocardial contractility obtaining good immediate and long-term (1.5 years after surgery) results.

We report the successful surgical treatment of a giant true thrombosed aneurysm of the left ventricle.A 59-year-old male patient Z. was admitted with severe heart failure and chronic thrombosed aneurysm of the left ventricle, formed after acute extensive myocardial infarction, despite successful installation of a stent into the anterior descending artery in the acute period. Echocardiography revealed a significant increase in the volume of the left ventricular cavity, a significant decrease in the contractile function of the left ventricular myocardium (ejection fraction 32-36%), a giant left ventricular aneurysm (9x6 cm) with a parietal lining thrombus in the aneurysm cavity. Coronary angiography showed an aneurysmal dilatation of the circumflex branch of more than 6 mm, hemodynamically significant stenosis of two coronary arteries. According to the scintigraphy, the myocardium beyond the scar tissue was viable. The patient underwent resection of a left ventricular aneurysm, endoventricular plasty (Dor procedure), coronary artery bypass surgery of the circumflex artery and obtuse marginal branch of the left coronary artery.The patient was discharged in satisfactory condition on day 14 after surgery. At follow-up 6 months after surgery, an increase in the ejection fraction to 3941% was noted.

Aim. To determine the influence of the time gap between acute myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation and intracoronary intervention performed later than 2.5 hours on myocardium, we studied indicators of perfusion over time with an aid of SPECT, including intraventricular asynchrony (2–4 days and 6–8 months after stent installation).Materials and method. We observed 22 patients with multivessel coronary lesion. The Russian program with the analysis of perfusion, function and the phase images was used in SPECT synchronized with ECG.Results. Showed that the time gap prior to coronary intervention in the acute phase of myocardial infarction may be directly connected with the increase in impaired perfusion during the end-systole and the severity of pathological intraventricular asynchrony without ECG signs. All patients had significantly decreased wall mobility and intraventricular asynchrony together with increased R-R interval in the late period (after 6–8 months) independently from the coronary intervention time. In patients of group 1 (coronary intervention within 6 hours), focal transmural lesions of myocardium significantly decreased.Conclusion. Late revascularization help decrease intraventricular asynchrony reducing the risk of heart failure in future.

Hepatopulmonary syndrome is a liver disease complication characterized by the clinical triad of an advanced chronic liver disease, a pulmonary vascular dilatation, and a reduced arterial oxygenation (hypoxemia: PaO2 less than 70 mm Hg at rest) in the absence of intrinsic cardiopulmonary disease. Precapillary vasodilatation, intrapulmonary angiogenesis and hyperdynamic circulation lead to arteriovenous shunting and reduced gas diffusion. In case of detecting macroscopic shunts, the pulmonary artery branch embolization could be performed. However, the hepatopulmonary syndrome can be cured nowadays by means of liver transplantation only. A 5-year survival in these patients is about 70%. The observed mortality is the highest during the surgery or early after, especially in patients with PaO2 lower than 50 mm Hg. It ranges from 8.5 to 29%. A prolonged oxygenation support is often required after liver transplantation using invasive or non-invasive ventilation, or even extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. In this review, we have focused on the recent advances in this field as described in available literature and have presented a case report of successful liver transplantation in a patient with a severe hepatopulmonary syndrome.

Aim. To define influence of the left ventricle (LV) perfusion defects on the clinical status dynamics after coronary angioplasty in patients with the expressed myocardium dysfunction of ischemic etiology. Materials and methods. Examined 86 patients (81 men and 5 women aged from 46 to 73 years) before and in 2–3 days after percutaneous coronary intervention with diagnosis: CAD, CHF with NYHA class III–IV, echocardiography parameters of LV: ejection fraction less than 40%, end-diastolic volume is more than 200 ml. Perfusion defects of myocardium estimated with use of ECG-gated single photon emission computed tomography. Predictors were defined: perfusion defects on LV apex (in score), perfusion defects in the area of LAD, LCx and RCA (%), the LV global perfusion defects (in score and %). Results. In 42% of cases 6-minute walk test increased to 3 times; The NYHA class decreased by 2 classes (group 1). In 28 cases 6-minute walk test increased to 2 times and the NYHA class decreased on 1 class. In 22 patients 6-minute walk test increased less than 50% of reference values and there was no dynamics NYHA class (50 patients of the group 2). Initial extent of LV global perfusion defects in group 1 – 41,2 ± 4,0%, in group 2 – 58,3 ± 2,4% (р = 0,0004). Similar values are received for perfusion indicators in the area of LAD and the LV apex. Prevalence of myocardial perfusion defects at rest reflects prevalence of a cardiosclerosis in a cardiac muscle. Conclusion. Degree of LV myocardial perfusion defects in patients with the expressed heart failure of ischemic etiology is the key indicator influencing clinical efficiency of coronary angioplasty. Critical size for definition of the favorable forecast of revascularization are 60% and more perfusion defects testifying that in a cardiac muscle the focal cardiosclerosis prevails over the functioning myocardium.

Aim of the study is to show the pathogenetic importance of myocardial revascularization and to estimate quantitatively effi ciency of the treatment of cardiac allograft vasculopathy after heart transplantation.Materials and methods. 30 percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) were performed to recipients of heart transplant (8 men and 7 women, aged from 18 to 56 years), who were diagnosed with cardiac allograft vasculopathy by coronary angiography within the time period from 1,5 to 12 years after heart transplantation. Before revascularization and one week after tolerances to physical activity, volume characteristics of the left ventricle were defi ned and diastolic function of heart was estimated. Average term of observation after stenting was 35,5 ± 5,5 months.Results. Tolerance to physical activity (from 76,6 ± 8,5 to 116,9 ± 9,6 W), its duration (from 5,4 ± 2,2 to 8,5 ± 4,1 min) and rate pressure product – RPP (from 198 ± 15 to 247 ± 24 P < 0,05) increased. There was a restoration of diastolic function (Ve/Va from 0,57 ± 0,18 to 1,15 ± 0,2 P < 0,05). Signifi cant distinction in time frames of vasculopathy development, frequency and reasons of repeated interventions depending on age of patients is revealed. In the group of patients younger than 30 years of age (7 patients), the time interval between heart transplantation and vasculopathy development is twice shorter, than in more senior patient group, over 45 years old (8 patients). Young patients showed the expressed tendency to develop stent restenosis (20 coronary interventions).Conclusion. Dynamics in functional condition of the left ventricle as a result of revascularization confi rms the leading role of miocardial ischemia in pathogenesis of transplant insuffi ciency due to vasculopathy. The signifi cant factor infl uencing upon long-term result of coronary intervention is the age of the patient.

The decision to install cardiac resynchronization device in patients may be associated not with the apparent clini- cal effectiveness, but for other reasons that require medical consultation. This may be due to the need to create a «bridge» to heart transplantation (HT), for example. In order to predict the outcome of CRT, we observed 54 pa- tients with HF, III–IV functional class NYHA, on the waiting list for HT. Cardiomyopathy was diagnosed in 36 patients, various forms of ischemic heart disease was diagnosed in 17 patients, all with the ECG determined left bundle branch block with QRS complex duration of less than 120 ms. All patients performed gated SPECT before and after CRT with standard methods of research. LVEF at baseline did not exceed 35%. Monitoring was continued for 2 years after the start of the CRT. The results were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of patients who need HT for 2 years, in spite of the CRT (11 patients). Group 2 consisted of patients who have an increase in LVEF of at least 10% after CRT (28 patients). When comparing the initial and final performance with the help of the Main- Whitney in both groups, most significant differences were found in the assessment of myocardial perfusion relation- ships lateral walls of LV and RV. The decrease in the ratio between the level of perfusion of the lateral walls of LV and RV < 2,0 reduces the effectiveness of CRT, and within two years, there occured a need for a heart transplant.

The differentiation of the cases of the right ventricular failure in transplanted heart should be complex and challenging. The 28-year old man with dilated cardiomyopathy underwent orthotopic heart transplantation. After transplantation developed right ventricular failure. The biopsy (n = 5) didn’t reveal any signs of myocardial rejection. There were noted some signs of inflammation in lateral right ventricular wall only by gated SPECT. The right ventricular failure increased and 6 months later there was successfully performed the heart retransplantation on the patient. The virusological study revealed the Epstein–Barr virus in myocardium. The explanted heart research excluded limphoproliferative disease by immunogystochemical tests. The final diagnosis is myocarditis.

A female patient T., 67 years, had a 30-year anamnesis of heart failure, HF (NYHA Functional Class III) with normal left ventricular ejection fraction and Stage II arterial hypertension. After thyroidectomy in 1987, the patient received L-thyroxin. The patient also received long-term standard antihypertensive therapy and HF treatment. Due to ineffective therapy and increased dyspnoea, radionuclide ventriculography was performed, suggesting restrictive cardiomyopathy. Intracoronary injection of autologous bone marrow stem cells was performed. Four months later, an improvement in clinical status (NYHA FC I) was associated with improved diastolic function at ventriculography. Immunological analysis confirmed a virus infection.

Humoral rejection of the cardiac allograft is still a challenging problem associated with high incidence of graft loss and patient mortality. These episodes of rejection are often more severe, and more difficult to treat, than classical acute cellular rejection. Hemodynamic compromise, in the absence of acute cellular rejection, called biopsy-negative rejection occurs in 10 to 20% of cardiac allograft recipients. The assessment of hemodynamic compromise can provide functional data in transplant patients that is complementary to myocardial biopsies if the biopsy can miss significant rejection. We present three cases of the biopsy-negative rejection. All patients have studied with gated SPECT phase analysis.

Clinical effectiveness of a new Russian antiarrhythmic agent nibentan, Class III, was studied in various supraventricular arrhythmias. In total, 220 patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), atrial flutter (AFl), supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and frequent supraventricular extrasystoles (SVE) were examined. ECG monitoring and echocardiography data, electrolyte balance and blood biochemistry were assessed. left ventricular myocardial kinetics and perfusion were studied by computed Tc-99 scintigraphy (Siemens-E. CAM camera, two detectors, 90 degree rotation, 16 gates per cardiac cycle; data analysis with 4DM sped program). Nibentan pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, as well as its metabolite levels, were measured with highly effective chromatography-mass spectrometry. Nibentan was highly effective in various supraventricular arrhythmias, without affecting central hemodynamics or left ventricular perfusion. There was a positive correlation between nibentan administration time, its active metabolite detection, plasma Mg level increase, and QTinterval elongation. Conclusion: Nibentan, a new antiarrhythmic agent, is highly effective for supraventricular paroxysmal arrhythmias (AF, AFl, SVT) management. Due to long QT and ventricular tachycardia risk, nibentan should be administered at cardiac resuscitation departments or intensive care units only.

Aim. To study clinical efficacy of a new, class III, antiarrhythmic agent, nibentan, in various supraventricular (SV) cardiac arrythmias. Material and methods. In total, 153 patients with atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, or SV tachycardia were examined. Electrocardiography monitoring, echocardiography, electrolyte balance assessment, biochemical blood assay were performed. Left ventricular (LV) kinetics and perfusion was measured by myocardial computer scintigraphy method. The results were processed with 4DM spect program. Results. Nibentan demonstrated high antiarrhythmic activity in various SV cardiac arrhythmias No significant effects on central hemodynamics and LV myocardial perfusion were observed. Conclusion. In this trial, a new medication, nibentan, demonstrated the qualities of a true class III antiarrhythmic agent.

The previouse experimental studies revealed that mezenchimal bone marrow stem cells (MSC) have the ability of differentiating into cardiomiocytes in vitro and in vivo inducting angiogenesis and restoring the impared myocardial function. At that, the cell technology capacities in clinical cardiology remain unstudied.Starting from January 2003 8 patients suffering from heart failure underwent the transplantation of autological MSC with different stages of cultivation: MSC was administered intracoronary to 6 and intramuraly to the post-infarction cardiosclerosis zone. In three cases the MSC were marked with thallium-20 Idirectly before transplantation in order to define the location of MSC during the hours after transplantation. The results of radionuclide scintigraphy demonstrated that in 1, 5 hours after intracoronary administration and in 6, 5 hours after intramyocardial injection MSC remain in the zone of administration. In 1 month after the transplantation the improvement of regional perfusion and diastolic function was observed in old patients. Significant growth of functional ischemia of the left ventricle from 31 to 40 % was observed in patient suffering from ИКМП after intramural administration of MSC. In 1 month after MSC transplantation quality of life and phisical stress tolerance improvement was observed. Intracoronary administered MSC remain in coronary artery, through which MSC was administered. Intracoronary and intramural administration of MSC improves functional indices of retractive myocardial function, increases physical stress tolerance and life quality of patients suffering from chronic heart failure.

Aim. To estimate sympathetic activity in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) complicated by chronic cardiac failure (CCF) depending on the volume of viable myocardium measured by dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). Material and methods. Planar myocardial I-231-MIBG scintigraphy and dobutamine stress echocardiography were made in 16 patients (9 males and 7 females) aged 43-75 years with CCF (NYHA class II- III) and ejection fraction under 35%. The ratio maximal MIBG absorption in the left ventricular myocardium to maximal MIBG absorption in the mediastenum (H/M) and lung (H/L) were estimated. Results. By DSE the patients were divided into two groups: responders in whom contractility improved by 4 and more points (9 patients) and non-responders in whom contractility improved by less than 4 scores (7patients). The groups did not differ by clinical and hemodynamic parameters but group 2 patients had significantly lower H/M and H/L than group 1 patients (1.38 ± 0.02 and 1.08 ± 0.06 against 1.61 ± 0.09 and 1.25 ± 0.12, respectively, p < 0.05). A direct correlation was found between MIBG absorption (H/M, H/L) and ejection fraction on minimal dobutamine doses (r = 0.77, p < 0.01; r = 0.87, p < 0.001), gain in ejection fraction (r = 0.77, p < 0.01; r = 0.45, p < 0.05), and inverse correlation between MIBG absorption (H/M, H/L) and dyssynergia index on minimal dobutamine doses (r = -0.80, p < 0.001; r = -0.87, p < 0.0001). Conclusion. Patients with CCF demonstrate a correlation between sympathetic activity and volume of viable myocardium, inotropic reserve.