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The aim of the study is to analyze predictors of lethality, false lumen thrombosis, enlargement of aortic diameter, and frequency of aorta-related events in the early and remote postoperative periods for various types of proximal aortic dissection surgery using the logistic regression method., Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational comparison of the results of surgical treatment of 213 patients with the diagnosis of "DeBakey type I aortic dissection" has been carried out. The participants were divided into three groups: group 1 underwent classic aortic arch reconstruction using hemiarch technique or total reconstruction of the aortic arch with a multiple-branch prosthesis (n=121); group 2 was subjected to the hemiarch technique and implantation of bare-metal (uncoated) stents (n=55); in group 3, the "frozen elephant trunk" correction technique was used (n=37). The diagnosis of all patients included into the study was preoperatively confirmed by ultrasound and tomographic examination. Predictors of negative events have been identified by building the models of logistic regressions., Results: The multivariate model of logistic regression has revealed multiplicative significant predictors of lethality: postoperative neurological complications increased the probability of lethality by 3.39 (1.24-9.18) times and presence of a patent false lumen by 4.17 (1.49-13.68) times.Among the predictors of aorta-related events, the most important were connective tissue diseases (the probability increased by 6.68 (2.98-15.62) times), presence of partial thrombosis of the false lumen (the probability of event development increased by 2.39 (1.07-5.44) times), and aortic valve repair (the probability aorta-event occurrence increased by 2.84 (1.13-7.17) times).Hybrid prosthesis implantation appeared to be the most significant predictor of false lumen thrombosis increasing its probability by 4.19 (1.90-9.44) times among aortic repair methods, while a bare-metal stent implantation in contrast reduced the likelihood of false lumen thrombosis by 0.17 (0.03-0.62) times. Eventually, the type of repair had not any significant impact on the aorta-related events and lethality in the long-term period., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of various types of hybrid technology in compare to the classical repair of the aortic arch of type I aortic dissection treatment in the in-hospital period., Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study has been conducted, the results of surgical treatment of 213 patients with DeBakey type I aortic dissection operated on within the period from 2001 to 2017 were compared. Patients were divided into three groups: in group 1, patients undergone a hemiarch type of aortic repair or the total arch replacement (n=121); in group 2, a hemiarch aortic reconstruction and implantation of bare metal stent was performed (n=55); in group 3, a frozen elephant trunk technique was used (n=37). Taking into consideration the retrospective character of the investigation and nonequivalence of the groups by separate characteristics, they were equalized to improve the reliability of the results using the PSM (propensity score matching) pseudorandomization method. As a result, three groups of comparison were formed which were equalized by the PSM method and called PSM 1, 2, and 3. The mortality and complication rate in the in-hospital period, as well as the frequency of false lumen thrombosis development depending on the treatment method, have been analyzed., Results: The mortality rate in the PSM 1 group was 15 patients: group 1 (standard technique) - 10 patients (9%), group 2 (uncoated stents) - 5 patients (11%). A significant difference was found in the number of major bleedings (group 1 - 8%, group 2 - 21%, p=0.031) and cases of bowel ischemia (group 1 - 1%, group 2 - 9%, p=0.028). Complete false lumen thrombosis of the thoracic aorta was observed significantly more often in group 1 than in group 2 (22% vs 5%, p=0.015).In the examined group PSM 2, hospital mortality rate was 4 patients: group 1 - 3 patients (12%), group 3 - 1 patient (3%). No differences between the groups were found in the number of complications. In group 3, complete false lumen thrombosis of the thoracic aorta was observed in 59% of cases, whereas in group 1 it was found only in 4% of patients (p<0.001).In comparison group PSM 3, the mortality was 8 patients: group 2 - 5 patients (11%), group 3 - 3 patients (9%). The number of neurological complications differed significantly: in group 2 - 27%, in group 3 - 6% (p=0.019). Besides, 3% of cases of complete false lumen thrombosis were found in group 2, while there appeared 55% (p<0.001) of such patients in group 3., Conclusion: The comparative analysis showed that the use of bare metal stents and hybrid prostheses demonstrated a comparable low level of in-hospital mortality compared to the standard surgical technique of aortic arch reconstruction. At the same time, the use of the bare metal stents is associated with a higher rate of perioperative complications (bleeding, postoperative bowel ischemia, neurological complications) compared to the standard treatment and repair of the aortic dissection using hybrid prostheses. Complete thrombosis of the false lumen occurred significantly less commonly in case of using bare metal stents than with standard treatment and hybrid prostheses., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

The article discusses the development of cognitive deficit in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and provides data on mechanisms of the development of cognitive disorders in AF. Under discussion are a possibility of reducing the risk of cognitive disorders with the anticoagulant therapy for prevention of stroke in AF and different properties of different anticoagulants, which may be important for patients. Thus, patients with cognitive disorders are more prone to missing the dose, which may entail serious, possibly fatal consequences. Therefore, the convenience of dosing may be essential. The drug rivaroxaban that has once-a-day dosing schedule and a calendar package, may help the patient better adhere to the doctor's recommendations. Therefore, rivaroxaban may help improving the compliance, which is the major condition for comprehensive, necessary protection of an elderly patient with AF, including the protection, with high safety, from stroke, from the risk of coronary complications, and from the impairment of kidney function.

Aim      To compare the incidence of a permanent pacemaker (PP) implantation based on the chosen treatment technology (biatrial ablation, BA, or left atrial ablation (LAA) for long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) with simultaneous coronary bypass (CB).Material and methods  The study included 116 patients with long-standing persistent AF and indications for CB. Patients were randomized to two equal groups (58 patients in each). Group 1 underwent BA in combination with CB; group 2 patients underwent isolated LAA with simultaneous CB under the conditions of artificial circulation. Incidence of PP implantation was assessed during the early (to 30 days) and late (to 60 months) postoperative periods.Results For the observation period, a total of 9 PPs was implanted in both groups, 6 in the BA group and 3 in the LAA group (odds ratio, OR, 0.5; 95 % confidence interval, CI, 0.1-2.4; р=0.490). During the early postoperative period, 5 patients in the BA group and 2 patients in the LAA group were implanted with PP (OR, 0.4; 95 % CI. 0-2.5; р=0.438). During the late postoperative period, one (2%) patient of the BA group was implanted with a permanent PP at 30 months of follow-up due to the development of sick sinus syndrome (SSS); also, one (2%) patient of the LAA group required PP implantation at 54 months of follow-up due to the development of SSS. The causes for PP implantation in the BA group included the development of complete atrioventricular (AV) block in 9 % of cases (95 % CI, 4-19 %); sinus node dysfunction and junctional rhythm in 2 % of cases (95 % CI, 0-9 %). Compared to this group, the LAA group showed a statistically significant difference in the incidence of AV block (0 cases, р=0.047). The major cause for PP implantation in the LAA group was the development of sinus node dysfunction in 3 (5 %) patients (95 % CI, 2-14 %).Conclusion      The use of BA in surgical treatment of long-standing persistent AF with simultaneous myocardial revascularization is associated with a high risk of AV block, which requires permanent PP implantation in the postoperative period. Total incidence of permanent PP implantation for dysfunction of the cardiac conduction system following the combination surgical treatment of long-standing persistent AF and IHD, either CB and LAA or BA, did not differ between the treatment groups both in early and late postoperative periods.

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify predictors of adverse events after the frozen elephant trunk procedure in the early postoperative period., Patients and Methods: Between March 2012 and March 2020, a total of 273 patients were operated on for aortic pathology. A retrospective analysis aimed at identifying probable predictors was performed on 83 patients who underwent the FET procedure. Uni- and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of such adverse events as postoperative delirium, respiratory failure, acute kidney injury, and in-hospital mortality., Results: According to the findings of the optimal multivariate regression model, separate reimplantation of the supra-aortic branches was a significant predictor of postoperative delirium (OR 10.41; 95% CI 1.1-35.45; p=0.05); significant risk factors for prolonged respiratory support were the duration of surgery (OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01-1.03; p<0.001) and postoperative acute renal injury (OR 8.72; 95% CI 1.67-57.38; p=0.014). Independent risk factors for postoperative renal injury turned out to be the true lumen diameter of the descending aorta (OR 1.3; 95% CI 1.1-1.72; p=0.015) and chronic type A aortic dissection (OR 44.07; 95% CI 3.29-2354.8; p=0.014); statistically significant risk factors for in-hospital mortality were multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (OR 14.34; 95% CI 1.69-155.48; p=0.016) and coronary artery stenosis (OR 3.36; 95% CI 1.19-13.26; p=0.042)., Conclusion: Separate reimplantation of the supra-aortic branches, duration of surgery, acute kidney injury, chronic aortic dissection, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, true lumen diameter of the descending aorta, coronary atherosclerosis and haemoglobin level were statistically significant predictors of adverse events in the early postoperative period.

Aim: to assess effect of correction of moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (IMC) in immediate and remote period., Materials and Methods: We included in a single center prospective study 76 patients with IMC, left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35 %, and moderate IMR. Patients with indications to postinfarction aneurism repair were not included. For randomization we used the method of envelopes. Thirty-eight patients were randomized in the group where coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was combined with of mitral valve repair (MVR), and 38 patients in the control group of isolated CABG. Mean age of patients was 57±8 (from 30 to 75 лет) years. For IMR correction we used rigid MEDENG ring. Results. Inhospital mortality was 5.4 % (n=2) after isolated CABG and 10.81 % (n=4) after CABG + MVR. Main cause of death was acute heart failure. One- and 2‑year survival was 84 and 78 %, respectively, after CABG+MVR, and 84 and 71 % after isolated CABG. There was significant difference in three-year survival between groups (hazard ratio [HR] of death 0.457, p=0.04). Five-year survival was 45 and 74 % after isolated CABG and CABG+MVR, respectively (р=0.037). Factors associated with inhospital mortality were pulmonary hypertension (HR 2.177, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 2.299 to 9.831; p=0.043), NYHA class IV chronic heart failure (HR 3.027, 95 % CI 1.605 to 5.707; р=0.001), negative result of stress test echocardiography (HR 0.087, 95 %CI 0.041 to 0.186; р&lt;0.001), atrial fibrillation (HR 4.754, 95 %CI 2.299 to 9.831; р&lt;0.001)., Conclusion: Correction of moderate IMR in patients with IMC leads to improvement of parameters of survival in remote period. Five-year survival after isolated CABG was 45 %, while after CABG+MVR - 74 % (р=0.037).

Aim: The aim of the study was to characterize the mechanical properties of the pulmonary arterial wall (PA) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the heart, and to determine their diagnostic and prognostic value., Materials and Methods: 57 patients with PAH were examined. The diagnosis of PAH was verified according to the recommendations of the ERS/ESC from 2015. All patients underwent a detailed echocardiographic (ECHO) study, MRI of the heart and right heart catheterization (RHC). To calculate the stiffness of the pulmonary artery wall, the MRI and RHC data were used., Results: We identified a correlation between the functional class of PAH and the parameters of hemodynamic, physical performance, ECHO parameters of the right chambers. There were no differences in the stiffness of the pulmonary artery wall, depending on the functional class of PAH. Among the six stiffness indicators, only pulsation index was associated with the structural and functional parameters of the right ventricle and pulmonary vascular resistance., Conclusion: The MRI pulsation index is the simpleststiffness index of the pulmonary artery wall and the most promising one for evaluating the prognosis of patients with PAH.

Objective: the aim of the study was to characterize the mechanical properties of the pulmonary arterial wall (PA) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the heart, and to determine their diagnostic and prognostic value., Materials and Methods: 57 patients with PAH were examined. The diagnosis of PAH was verified according to the recommendations of the ERS/ESC from 2015. All patients underwent a detailed echocardiographic (ECHO) study, MRI of the heart and right heart catheterization (RHC). To calculate the stiffness of the pulmonary artery wall, the MRI and RHC data were used., Results: We identified a correlation between the functional class of PAH and the parameters of hemodynamic, physical performance, ECHO parameters of the right chambers. There were no differences in the stiffness of the pulmonary artery wall, depending on the functional class of PAH. Among the six stiffness indicators, only pulsation index was associated with the structural and functional parameters of the right ventricle and pulmonary vascular resistance., Conclusion: The MRI pulsation index is the simpleststiffness index of the pulmonary artery wall and the most promising one for evaluating the prognosis of patients with PAH.

Background: Expression levels of cytokine and growth factor receptors have been found to be important in the regulation of their action. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) is actively involved in inflammation processes in atopic dermatitis (AD), but the role of TNFα membrane receptors (TNFR) and their regulatory function in AD remains unclear., Aim: We aimed to determine the associations of parameters of TNFRα expression on immunocompetent cells with disease severity before and after therapy in AD patients., Methods: TNFRα expression on T cells, B cells, and monocytes was evaluated by flow cytometry. To determine receptor numbers on the cells, Quantibrite PE beads were used. The content of soluble mediators was evaluated by ELISA. To reveal linear relationships between the index scoring AD (SCORAD) and the studied parameters, multiple linear regression model building was used., Results: TNFR1 and TNFR2 expression in lymphocyte and monocyte populations of AD patients was higher than in healthy individuals (HI). At the same time an increased percentage of positive cells was not associated with high receptor density, and vice versa. Serum content of TNFα, both soluble receptors, the number of TNFR2/T cells, and the percentage of TNFR2+ monocytes were found to be strongly associated with the SCORAD index., Conclusion: AD patients had increased TNFR expression on immune cells. Changes in the parameters of TNFRα expression compared to HI were associated with the disease severity index SCORAD., (© 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Interleukin 1 (IL-1 β) and the system for regulation of its biological effects play an important role in the development and behavior of inflammatory processes in atopic dermatitis. Notably, cells that are actively involved in the pathological process have altered expression of cytokine receptors. However, standard evaluation of cells by flow cytometry measures only the percentage of cells expressing the appropriate marker, which is not enough for a full assessment of these changes. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the expression of IL-1β cytokine receptors in patients with atopic dermatitis by both percentage of cells with receptors in various subsets and the absolute number of membrane-bound receptors themselves. It was found that an increase or decrease in the percentage of cells expressing the receptors in subsets of immune cells in patients with atopic dermatitis was not associated with a change in the number of receptors on the cell surface. Moreover, the changes in the percentage of cells and the number of receptors may occur in different directions, as shown for IL-1R2 expression on B cells and IL-1R1 expression for monocytes. Changes in the parameters of IL-1β receptor expressions are associated with disease severity index SCORAD in atopic dermatitis. These findings underline the importance of studying the density of cytokine receptor expression in the pathology., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)