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The aim of this guideline is to assist physicians in the management of patients with cardiovascular pathology and obstructive sleep-disordered breathing. The article consists data on diagnostic tactics for patients with possible sleep-breathing disorders, describes the basic principles of obstructive sleep apnea treatment, and substantiates the clinical significance of obstructive sleep apnea therapy initiating in the management of patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the most common causes of death in both developing and developed countries of the world. Despite the improvement in primary prevention, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases has continued to grow in recent years. Therefore, it is extremely important both to study the molecular pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases in depth and to find new methods for early and appropriate prevention, diagnosis and treatment of these diseases. In the last decade, a large amount of research has focused on the study of microRNAs as potential diagnostic biomarkers, as well as their role in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. microRNAs are endogenous small (21-23 nucleotides) ribonucleotides involved in the regulation of protein synthesis from amino acids based on matrix RNA. microRNAs are involved in the regulation of the expression of the majority (>60%) of genes encoding proteins, mainly due to its suppression, modulate numerous signaling pathways and cellular processes and participate in intercellular communication. Along with this, the important role of microRNAs in the cardiovascular system has been proven: participation in the regulation of processes such as angiogenesis, contractility of heart cells, control of lipid metabolism, the rate of fibrosis and atherosclerosis, which makes it possible to use microRNAs as therapeutic agents. Thus, the article considers the issue of the availability of several approaches to treatment involving microRNAs: overexpression of exogenous microRNAs to reduce the expression of genes with undesirable properties, overexpression of microRNA inhibitors, the use of «false» microRNAs or «sponges» that act as competitive inhibitors. The use of viruses with a positive (semantic) RNA chain resembling endogenous mRNAs is also considered.The author pays special attention to the important role of microRNAs in a number of cardiovascular diseases: microRNA-based therapy has been demonstrated in the treatment of diseases such as heart failure, dyslipidemia, acute coronary syndrome, arterial hypertension, as well as arterial hypertension caused by OSA. Studies proving the positive effect of microRNAs on slowing down the development of atherosclerosis are considered, which may allow them to be used as new therapeutic agents that can lead to optimization of approaches to the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Particularly active is the development of drugs based on RNA interference (RNAi), which use recently discovered pathways of endogenous short interfering RNAs and become universal tools for effective suppression of protein expression. Thus, the use of certain drugs based on RNA interference in a number of clinical studies has shown a significant decrease in the level of non-HDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the treatment of dyslipidemia and NT-proBNP in the treatment of hereditary transtyretin amyloidosis. This article touches upon the issue of such an important problem as myocardial infarction. Thus, hypertrophy and fibrosis of the heart significantly contribute to thickening and increasing the rigidity of the ventricular walls, leading to remodeling of the heart and worsening the prognosis. For this purpose, a biocompatible patch with microneedles (MI) with antifibrotic activity based on microRNA can be used to prevent excessive cardiac fibrosis after myocardial infarction. Summarizing the above, it is certainly worth noting that this problem has been little studied and requires further research. Identifying a safe and effective strategy for microRNA-based therapy remains a difficult task, but the new approaches considered have enormous potential for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death and disability in economically developed countries in the world. In response to the impact of various factors, the structure and function of several types of cells changes, contributing to the occurrence and progression of cardiovascular diseases. Search for sensitive and specific biomarkers is one of the most important problems in the field of diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. In the last decade, microRNAs have more often been considered as potential biomarkers of a wide range of cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and obstructive sleep apnoea. Early diagnosis of these diseases is essential to initiate immediate treatment, which can lead to improved outcomes. MicroRNAs are endogenous small (21-23 nucleotides) ribonucleotides involved in the regulation of protein synthesis from amino acids based on matrix RNA. MicroRNAs are involved in the regulation of expression of the majority (>60%) of genes encoding proteins, mainly due to its suppression, modulate numerous signaling pathways and cellular processes and participate in intercellular communication. There are different advantages of these biomarkers: low invasiveness during research, stability, resistance to destructive factors, for example, freeze-thaw cycles, enzymes in the blood. Some microRNAs are expressed everywhere, while others are specific to certain tissues and/or stages of development of the organism. At the same time, microRNAs were detected in various biological fluids: blood plasma, urine, seminal fluid, saliva, breast milk. Changes in both the amount and functional activity of microRNAs can lead to the development of various diseases. In the cardiovascular system, microRNAs control the functions of various cells, such as cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts. Thus, due to the stability of microRNAs, the tissue­specific nature of expression and secretion into specific fluids, it becomes possible to consider them as an attractive diagnostic. It is also particularly important that the expression levels of certain microRNAs reflect not only the presence of diseases in the early stages, but also the dynamic development of diseases in the later stages. This review presents the features of various microRNAs as biomarkers and their influence on some molecular pathways underlying cardiovascular diseases and describes the significant potential of supplementing traditionally used markers in clinical practice with microRNA biomarkers. Prospects for the development and limitations of the use of microRNAs as potential biomarkers are also described.

Disclaimer. The EAC Guidelines represent the views of the EAC, and were produced after careful consideration of the scientific and medical knowledge, and the evidence available at the time of their publication. The EAC is not responsible in the event of any contradiction, discrepancy, and/or ambiguity between the EAC Guidelines and any other official recommendations or guidelines issued by the relevant public health authorities, in particular in relation to good use of healthcare or therapeutic strategies. Health professionals are encouraged to take the EAC Guidelines fully into account when exercising their clinical judgment, as well as in the determination and the implementation of preventive, diagnostic, or therapeutic medical strategies; however, the EAC Guidelines do not override, in any way whatsoever, the individual responsibility of health professionals to make appropriate and accurate decisions in consideration of each patient’s health condition and in consultation with that patient and, where appropriate and/or necessary, the patient’s caregiver. Nor do the EAC Guidelines exempt health professionals from taking into full and careful consideration the relevant official updated recommendations or guidelines issued by the competent public health authorities, in order to manage each patient’s case in light of the scientifically accepted data pursuant to their respective ethical and professional obligations. It is also the health professional’s responsibility to verify the applicable rules and regulations relating to drugs and medical devices at the time of prescription.

A large amount of genetic information is localized in microRNAs which are a class of non-coding RNAs formed from longer RNA precursors, usually having a length of 19-24 nucleotides and a specific hairpin structure. Although microRNA studies have been started relatively recently, there is no doubt that they play an important role in regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level in embryonic development, and are also involved in maintaining the normal functions of adult cells. For the first time, microRNA was discovered in the study of free-living nematodes Caenorhabditis elegans and then a new mechanism for suppressing expression using antisense RNA was discovered. MicroRNA may be part of protein-coding transcripts or may be located in the intergenic genome regions. Changes in the functional activity and number of microRNAs can lead to diseases such as oncological, cardiovascular, gynecological, and neurological. MicroRNA is also involved in the process of neurodegeneration and the development of mental diseases. Since part of the microRNA is specific to certain tissues and/or stages of development of the organism, microRNA molecules can be considered as a promising diagnostic tool. Among the advantages of these biomarkers are the possibility of detecting pathology in the latent stage, the low invasiveness of studies and resistance to destructive factors. At the same time, microRNAs can be detected in various biological fluids: blood serum, urine, seminal fluid, saliva, breast milk. Currently, the possibilities of using microRNAs in targeted therapy are widely discussed in connection with the possibility of regulating the expression of genes with undesirable properties or overexpression of microRNA inhibitors to prevent the negative effects of microRNAs that cause the development of the disease. The first part of the review discusses the historical aspect of the study of microRNAs, their mechanism of formation, the features of circulating microRNAs and the possible therapeutic effect of exogenous microRNAs coming from food on the human body.

Disclaimer. The EAC Guidelines represent the views of the EAC, and were produced after careful consideration of the scientific and medical knowledge, and the evidence available at the time of their publication. The EAC is not responsible in the event of any contradiction, discrepancy, and/or ambiguity between the EAC Guidelines and any other official recommendations or guidelines issued by the relevant public health authorities, in particular in relation to good use of healthcare or therapeutic strategies. Health professionals are encouraged to take the EAC Guidelines fully into account when exercising their clinical judgment, as well as in the determination and the implementation of preventive, diagnostic, or therapeutic medical strategies; however, the EAC Guide-lines do not override, in any way whatsoever, the individual responsibility of health professionals to make appropriate and accurate decisions in consideration of each patient’s health condition and in consultation with that patient and, where appropriate and/or necessary, the patient’s caregiver. Nor do the EAC Guidelines exempt health professionals from taking into full and careful consideration the relevant official updated recommendations or guidelines issued by the competent public health authorities, in order to manage each patient’s case in light of the scientifically accepted data pursuant to their respective ethical and professional obligations. It is also the health professional’s responsibility to verify the applicable rules and regulations relating to drugs and medical devices at the time of prescription.

Aim.To study the effectiveness of prolonged use of PAP therapy (positive airway pressure therapy) in eliminating sleep respiratory disorders and associated cardiac conduction disturbances. Materials and methods.We included 21 patients who were examined at the Myasnikov Institute of Clinical Cardiology, National Medical Research Center of Cardiology, regarding cardiac rhythm and conduction disturbances, as well as obstructive sleep apnea and who have been on PAP therapy for more than 12 months. The average age was 66.5 [63.5; 73.2] years, body mass index 33.0 [30.2; 38.5] kg/m2, apnea-hypopnea index 65.0 [59.0; 86.3]/h. At the time of analysis, 15 patients continued to use PAP therapy (mean time of use: 6.0 years [4.7; 9.2]) and 6 patients refused long-term use of PAP therapy, mean time to use PAP therapy until failure amounted to 2.82.1 years. Results.PAP therapy lead to a persistent decrease in apnea-hypopnea index of 63.6/h to 3.7/h was (p=0.0002). 86% of patients met the criteria for adherence to PAP therapy (use 4 hours/night, more than 70% of nights). Initially, before the use of PAP therapy, all cardiac conduction disorders were during sleep and exceeded 3 seconds, with fluctuations from 3.1 to 10.6 seconds. PAP therapy appeared to be effective in all patients: no asystoles, duration of more than 3 seconds, were detected. Conclusion.In obstructive sleep apnea patients with concomitant nighttime cardiac conduction disturbances, the long-term use of PAP therapy is effective and with good adherence.

Aim. To assess the impact of adherence and effectiveness of long-term positive airway pressure therapy (PAP-therapy) on the clinical and psychological characteristics of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Materials and methods. The study included 80 patients who were examined in the sleep apnea laboratory of the Myasnikov Institute of Clinical Cardiology of the National Medical Research Center for Cardiology and who have been on PAP-therapy for more than 12 months. The average age of the patients was 65.0 years [59.0; 71.0], body mass index 35.0 kg/m2 [31.0; 38.0], sleep apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) 39.5/h [31.0; 62.6]. The average duration of PAP therapy was 3.5 years [2.0; 6.0], while the minimum use was 1 year, the maximum 15 years. In the sample of patients who came in person, the percentage of days using PAP-therapy was 87.5% [62.0; 98.0] and the average usage time 6.3 hours [5.2; 7.3]. Results. On long-term PAP-therapy a persistent decrease in AHI was seen on average from 39.5/h [31.0; 62.6] to 2.7/h [1.2; 6.2], p=0,000. The criteria for good adherence to PAP-therapy (use 4 hours/night, more than 70% of nights) were met by the percentage of days of use by 67.5% of patients, the average time of use by 87.5% of patients. Both criteria for good adherence to PAP-therapy was met by 64.8% of patients. With long-term PAP-therapy, 71.7% of patients met the criteria of effectiveness (AHI5/h), AHI remained 5/h in 22.9% of patients and the average residual AHI was 10/h in 5.4% of patients. Correlation analysis showed associations between the PAP-therapy usage parameters and the severity of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, and sleep quality: percentage of days of use and AHI (r=0.374, p=0.001), average time of use and PSQI (r=-0.438, p=0.000). Patients with a lower adherence to PAP-therapy (63.0% of days [22.0; 96.0] and 3.6 hours [2.4; 4.5] of use) did not differ in daytime sleepiness (ESS 5.0 points [2.0; 9.0] and 5.0 points [3.0; 8.0 ], p=0.891), but had a significantly lower quality of sleep (PSQI): 18.0 points [14.0; 20.0] versus 10.0 points [7.0; 18.0], p=0.004 compared with patients with high adherence to PAP-therapy (98.0% of the days [92.0; 99.0] and 7.9 hours [7.5; 8.2] of use). Conclusions. Patients with the higher adherence to PAP-therapy had significantly better sleep quality. But even the use of PAP-therapy for less than 4 hours is associated with a decrease in daytime sleepiness severity.

Guidelines on treatment of patients with arterial hypertension comorbid with metabolic disorders and diabetes mellitus type 2

Relevance. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is an important medical and social problem due to its high prevalence and impact on quality of life. The relationship between OSAS and cardiovascular pathology has been proven by many studies, which confirms the necessity for early diagnosis of OSAS and its treatment for the prevention of fatal and non-fatal events. Aim: to study epidemiological and clinical profile of the patients referred by a cardiologist to a specialized sleep laboratory to verify the diagnosis of OSAS. Materials and methods. Object of study 527 patients aged 56.912.5 years who were hospitalized to the Myasnikov Clinical Cardiology Research Institute from 20162018 and had OSAS risk factors. Initially, complaints, medical history, anthropometric data were collected. As a screening survey, questionnaires were conducted using questionnaire scales. Verification of the diagnosis of OSAS and determination of the severity was carried out by cardiorespiratory or respiratory monitoring. Subsequently, 4 groups were formed depending on the presence and severity of OSAS. Results. The prevalence of OSAS among patients in a cardiology hospital referred to a verification study was 88.6%. A comparative analysis of the groups revealed a progressive increase in the values of anthropometric indicators with increasing severity of OSAS. No differences were found between the groups by gender and daytime sleepiness on the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale. The average score on the Epworth sleepiness scale was statistically significantly lower only in the group of patients without OSAS when compared with the group with a severe degree of OSAS, and is comparable with the scores in the groups of mild and moderate degrees of OSAS. In a multivariate model of logistic regression, independent predictors of OSAS were identified as: age over 45 years, indications of loud intermittent snoring, frequent nightly urination, overweight or obesity. According to the results of assessing the incidence of various cardiovascular diseases in patients referred to the sleep laboratory, no significant differences were detected. At the same time, a significant difference was found in the frequency of obesity in patients with severe OSAS compared with other groups, as well as the frequency of type 2 diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose tolerance when compared with groups without OSAS, and with mild OSAS. In one-factor logistic regression models, it was found that the likelihood of having a severe degree of OSAS increases with increasing both comorbidity and age. Conclusions. High prevalence of OSAS in patients of a cardiological hospital, referred to a sleep laboratory for verification study, was confirmed. Considering the data that early diagnosis and treatment of OSAS can affect the course of both nosologies, the quality of life and prognosis of these patients, it is advisable to routinely screen and verify the diagnosis of OSAS in patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Objective: to study the relationship between erectile dysfunction and obesity parameters and the severity of obstructive sleep apnea in patients with arterial hypertension.Material and methods: 71 patients with different severity of erectile dysfunction, overweight and obesity of grade 1, mild and severe obstructive sleep apnea and arterial hypertension were included in the study. The data of cardiorespiratory monitoring, anthropometric parameters of obesity were analyzed and the severity of erectile dysfunction was assessed by intracavernous pharmacodopplerography, the results were compared with the subjective opinion of patients on the degree of severity of erectile dysfunction according to the IIEF-5 questionnaire. All patients underwent psychosomatic status analysis according to the questionnaire scales: assessment of daytime drowsiness on the Epworth scale, severity of personal and situational anxiety on the Spielberger scale and depression level on the Beck scale.Results: comparative analysis revealed statistically significant links between anthropometric data of obesity with OSA parameters (apnea/hypopnea index, desaturation index) (p

Aim. To evaluate the prevalence of possible obstructive respiratory disorder during sleep in outpatients by the data from computed monitoring pulse oxymetry (CPO) and questionnaires.Material and methods. To the open one stage non-randomized comparative study, 175 patients included: 37,1% males, 62,9% females, age 55,1±11,1 y.o., visiting a clinician office at outpatient facility. Sleep disordered breathing of obstructive origin was diagnosed with a survey, modified Stradling questionnaire and CPO; and excessive daytime sleepiness — with Epworth score. For confirmation of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a bifunctional monitoring was performed (BM) with further comparison of the data with CPO results.Results. Chronic hypoxemia at night by CPO was found in 71,4% patients, and probability of OSA moderate and severe — in 42,8% patients. By the modified Stradling, OSA was predicted in 57,7%, by Epworth, the daytime sleepiness was found in 11,4%. Mild OSA in BM was found in 8,9%, moderate — 14,7%, severe — 20,6%. The data from CPO matched with BM in 80% patients. Sensitivity of CPO for nocturnal hypoxemia of various severity was 92,4%, specificity — 76,4%; sensitivity of the Stradling questionnaire — 88,9%, specificity — 88,2%. Sensitivity of Epworth score — 27,8%, specificity — 82,4%.Conclusion. Chronic nocturnal hypoxemia was found in 71,4%, and probability of moderate and severe OSA — in 42,8% in outpatients with internal diseases profile. CPO and Stradling questionnaire can be applied as diagnostic instruments for OSA at outpatient stage.

Aim. Evaluation of CPAP treatment (continuous positive upper airway pressure) in obstructive sleep apnea patients (OSA) and atrial fibrillation (AF) in comparison with antiarrhythmic medication therapy.Material and methods. Totally, 36 patients included (58% males, mean age 61±11 y.) with AF and definite OSA by the data from cardiorespiratory monitoring. In 6 (17%) patients there was moderate level of respiratory disorders and in 30 (83%) — severe. Twenty four (67%) patients had paroxysmal and 12 (33%) — persistent AF. All patients, to retain sinus rhythm and prevent AF relapses, were taking antiarrhythmic medications (AAM). Therapy by CPAP was recommended to all patients, but after familiarization nights (1-3), 18 agreed to continue this type of treatment at home (group 1), other 18 (group 2) were unable to apply CPAP due to low tolerance. During 12 month follow-up, comparative analysis was done, of AAM efficacy in both groups of patients. Groups did not differ significantly by the medications being taken.Results. With CPAP therapy, in group 1 most patients (12, 67%) during 12 months did not develop AF relapses, and in the group 2 — only 6 (33%) did not have AF. It is worthy to mention than group 1 patients had potentially less chance for antiarrhythmic therapy success, if to consider traditional risk factors of AF, as they had higher body mass (body mass index 39,5 kg/m2 versus 34, p=0,07), more severe sleep respiration disorders (apnea-hypopnea index 50,8 events per hour versus 37,4, p=0,09) and larger left atrium (82 mL versus 60,5, p=0,02) comparing to group 2 patients. During 3-month CPAP treatment, in group 1 patients a significant decrease of P-wave dispersion was noted, by 30,8% (р=0,05).Conclusion. Therapy with CPAP in moderate and severe OSA makes it to more than two times (from 33% to 67%) increase efficacy of antiarrhythmic drug treatment for AF. One of the mechanisms of antiarrhythmic action of CPAP againts AF might be a decrease of atrial conduction time dispersion.

Objective: to evaluate the upper airway (UA) soft tissue structures in patients with obesity, comparable body mass index (BMI), and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) varying in severity, by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Material and methods. The results of UA soft tissue MRI were analyzed in 20 patients without obesity and OSAS (a control group), in 42 patients with obesity and severe OSAS (a study group), and in 32 patients with obesity and mild OSAS (a comparison group). MRI scans were used to calculate the volumes of the soft palate (SPV), tongue (TV), lateral pharyngeal walls (LPWV) at the level of the retropharyngeal and retroglossal regions (RPR and RGR), soft tissue amounts (STA) at the level of the RPO and RGR, lingual fat inclusions, as well as lingual fat concentrations, and the area of maximum upper airway stenosis (MUAS) at the level of the RPR and RGR.Results. It was found that in the patients with OSAS, obesity, and comparable BMI, SPV and LPWV at the level of the RPR and RGR, STA at the level of RPR and RGR, and lingual fat inclusions and concentrations were higher in the severe OSAS group than those in the mild OSAS group (p < 0.001). The area of MUAS at the level of RPR and RGR was smaller than that in the mild OSAS group (p < 0.001).Conclusion. In patients with obesity and OSAS, BMI is not always a clear predictor of the degree of severity due to the uneven accumulation of adipose tissue in the soft tissues surrounding the the upper airway.

Aim. To study the effectiveness of a fixed combination of perindopril and amlodipine, with the subsequent addition of indapamide-retard in male patients with arterial hypertension (AH), obesity and severe sleep apnea (OSAS). Materials and methods. The study included 43 male patients in whom antihypertensive therapy titration was performed to achieve target blood pressure values with a fixed combination of calcium antagonist amlodipine (10 mg) and an angiotensin-converting inhibitor perindopril (5-10 mg) and indapamide-retard. At baseline and after 4-6 weeks, the effectiveness of antihypertensive therapy was monitored according to clinical measurements and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). An assessment of the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), aortic PWV (aoPWV), and ankle-brachial PWV (abPWV) was performed. Results and discussion. Target blood pressure values (according to clinical blood pressure, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring) during therapy with amlodipine 10 mg and perindopril 10 mg reached 65% of patients and another 30% reached target blood pressure when adding indapamide-retard 1.5 mg, that is - 95% of all patients included in the study. Upon reaching the target blood pressure values, a significant decrease in cfPWV, aoPWV and abPWV was observed. Conclusion. The fixed combination of perindopril arginine and amplodipine, with the addition of indapamide retard in male patients with hypertension 1st degree in the presence of obesity and severe OSAS allows to reach effective control of blood pressure and improve the elastic properties of large arteries, which can lead to a favorable organoprotective effect in this category of patients.

Objective. To determine the dynamics of the clinical and psychological characteristics on the background of 1 month of CPAP therapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) and arterial hypertension (AH), both adherent and non-adherent to the treatment. Methods. The study included 180 patients with OSA and AH. Upon enrollment, anthropometric data, the results of polysomnography and cardiorespiratory studies, Beck depression scale, Spielberger personal and situational anxiety scale, Epworth daytime sleepiness scale, Pittsburgh sleep quality questionnaire and Quality of Life (WHO QOL-100) questionnaire were analysed. Out of 40 patients undergoing CPAP therapy, 30 patients were adherent to the treatment within a month. The adherence criterion was considered to be the usage of the CPAP device more than 4 hours per night, more than 5 days a week. In this article, the dynamics of the questionnaire scales is given only for those who were adherent to CPAP therapy. Results. Patients with OSA and AH adherent to CPAP therapy showed a statistically significant reduction in daytime sleepiness and depression, as well as improved quality of sleep and quality of life in the physical domain within 1 month of using CPAP therapy. Conclusion. Even short-term use of CPAP therapy in patients with OSA and AH leads to a reduction in daytime sleepiness and depression, improved quality of sleep and quality of life in the physical domain.

Goal: to study the effectiveness of combination antihypertensive therapy (AHT) and its influence on the indices characterizing the arterial stiffness of various types in patients with arterial hypertension (AH) in combination with obesity and severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Material and methods. The study included 27 male patients with hypertension [143.0 (142.0; 150.0)/91.0 (85.3; 94.8) mm Hg. century], obesity [body mass index of 33.8 (32.0; 37.2) kg/m2] and OSA was severe [the index of apnea/hypopnea - AHI - 46.8 (33.3; 63.4) events per hour] who underwent AHT titration to achieve target values of blood pressure (BP), a fixed combination of the calcium antagonist amlodipine (10 mg) and the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor perindopril (5-10 mg). At baseline and after 4-6 weeks when reaching target blood pressure was assessed pulse wave velocity (PWV) using different instrumental techniques. Carotid-femoral PWV (CFSP) was determined by applanation tonometry (SphygmoСor AtCor, Australia), aortic PWV - ultrasonic technique in the descending aorta (thoracic spine), the ankle-brachial PWV - using volumetric sphygmography (VaseraVS-1000 Fukuda Dens, Japan). Results. The target pressure (according to clinical blood pressure, daily monitoring blood pressure) on the background of amlodipine 10 mg and perindopril 5 mg was 58% patients and 42% of patients reached the target level of blood pressure against the background amlodipine 10 mg and perindopril 10 mg. On a background of 4-6 weeks of admission AHT 33.8% increase in the number of patients with a normal circadian profile of blood pressure - «dipper». Upon reaching the target blood pressure revealed a significant decrease CFSP, ankle-brachial PWV and aortic PWV 11.4, 11.0 and 15.4%, respectively. Conclusion. A fixed combination of perindopril arginine and amlodipine in patients with arterial hypertension of the 1st degree in the presence of obesity and OSA allows achieving a good level of BP control, to improve the performance of the daily profile and to improve the elastic properties of large arteries, which has a beneficial protective effect in these patients.

The aim of our study is to determine association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome and levels of blood coagulation markers and evaluate possible effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. Materials and methods. We included 74 middle-aged (mean age 48 [40; 55] years) male patients with arterial hypertension (AH) of average duration 8 [5; 10] years without antiplatelet, anticoagulant therapy and diabetes mellitus. All patients underwent sleep breathing study. According to the severity of OSA, patients were divided into 2 groups: 40 patients with severe OSA - apnea/hypopnea index - AHI 50.2 (37.8; 75.2) and control group with 34 patients with mild or no OSA - AHI 4.8 (2.6; 7.8). In all patients were analyzed markers of hemostasis system and parameters of whole blood viscosity; 34 patients with severe OSA underwent 3-4 nights of effective CPAP therapy (with achievement AHI

The paper describes a clinical case of a female patient with severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in the presence of congenital hemangioma of the face, soft palate, and tongue concurrent with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, and sinoatrial block (maximally up to 3.9 sec). Continuous positive airway pressure therapy could reduce the number of paroxysms of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter, supraventricular tachycardia and eliminate sinoatrial block.

Currently, adequate reduction of blood pressure (BP) during the night in patients with arterial hypertension remains important problem. To study chronotherapy’s opportunities to achieve better BP control by a single dose of antihypertensive drugs while maintaining high compliance. Aim. To evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, safety of various prescription regimes of fixed combination: perindopril 10 mg and indapamide 2.5 mg in patients with insufficient degree of BP reduction at night. Design and methods. The study included 30 patients (20 men and 10 women, 56±9.3 years, body mass index 30.5±5.3 kg/m2, the duration of arterial hypertension - 7.1±5.8 years), on ineffective dual antihypertensive therapy (BP>140/90 mm Hg). Initially, ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) and blood tests were performed. Then, previous therapy was terminated and fixed combination of perindopril 10 mg/indapamide 2.5 mg (Noliprel A Bi-forte) was administered. Patients were randomized into two groups: morning and evening regimens of therapy. After 8 weeks of treatment ABPM and blood tests were repeated. Statistical analysis was done after further separation of patients into groups with sufficient (dippers) and insufficient (non-dippers) degree of BP reduction at night. Results. In the group of "non-dippers" average ambulatory systolic BP (SBP) during wakefulness declined from 149.4±11.7 mm Hg to 129.8±10.6 mmHg (p