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Background: According to numerous studies, from 30% to 50% of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) are resistant to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and cardiac contractility modulation (CCM), despite their careful selection in accordance with current guidelines. It is of interest to study neurohormones characterizing myocardial (NT-proBNP) and fibrosis (sST2) as potential additional markers of CHF patients' “response” to CRT and CCM.Aim: To evaluate the potential to use NT-proBNP and sST2 biomarkers in CHF patients combined with transthoracic echocardiography (Echo) and contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters of the heart to predict a positive response to CRT and CCM devices.Materials and methods: The study included 51 patients (41 men, 10 women) aged 58 ± 12 years (26 to 79 years) with ischemic heart disease post acute myocardial infarction (n = 22) or non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (n = 29), left ventricle (LV) ejection fraction (EF) < 35%, and CHF II–III NYHA functional class despite ≥ 3 months of optimized medical therapy. The patients were assessed by serum biomarkers NT-proBNP and sST2 measurements, transthoracic Echo, and contrast- enhanced cardiac MRI. After the diagnostic assessment, CRT defibrillators (CRT-D) were implanted to 39 patients and CCM to 12 patients. After prospective follow-up of the patients for 18 to 24 months, predictors of the response to each device type were analyzed in univariate, multivariate, and ROC analysis.Results: The response to CRT-D was found in 21 (54%) patients, to CCM in 7 (58%) patients. Multivariate analysis showed the following predictors of the response of patients to CRT-D were: 1) sST2 < 50 ng/mL, 2) NT-proBNP < 3900 pg/mL, 3) < 3 LV segments with fibrosis (by MRI) and 4) anteroposterior dimension of the left atrium < 4.8 cm (by Echo). Any 2 of these 4 characteristics made it possible to predict the response to CRT with an accuracy of 87% (sensitivity 90%, specificity 83%). The predictors of the response to CCM were: 1) sST2 < 30 ng/ml, 2) LV end diastolic diameter < 78 mm (Echo), 3) age < 56 years, 4) body mass index < 27 kg/m2. Any 2 of these 4 characteristics predicted the positive response to CCM with an accuracy of 92% (sensitivity 86%, specificity 100%).Conclusion: The preoperative sST2 level was the only universal marker of the response to either CRT (< 50 ng/mL) or CCM (< 30 ng/mL) devices in CHF patients with reduced LVEF. The results indicate the potential for improved efficacy of these devices with their earlier implantation after the onset of the heart disease, as well as provided that maximal control CHF in these patients has been achieved.

Introduction.As a significant number of patients with heart failure (HF) does not respond to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), a lot of research has deservedly focused on optimization, and better patient selection. The ideal resynchronization depends on different factors, from device programming to heart features and left ventricle (LV) lead position. Analysis of the 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is the most simple method which can provide important information on LV lead location, presence of scar at LV pacing site, and fusion of intrinsic activation or RV pacing with LV pacing.Purpose. To analyze the electrophysiological and structural heart features and their correlation with the ECG pattern during biventricular (BV) pacing in patients with HF and CRT devices.Methods. The study included 47 patients (mean age 62.3±8.9 years) with LBBB, QRS duration ≥ 130 ms, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 35%, heart failure (HF) NYHA II-IV despite optimal pharmacological therapy during months. All patients had undergone CRT-D implantation. Late-gadolinium enhancement-cardiovascular magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR), 12-lead ECG, non-invasive cardiac mapping (NICM) (with obtaining the zone of late LV activation (ZLA)) were undertaken prior to CRT devices implantation. NICM with cardiac CT and evaluation of LV lead position, ECG pattern during BV pacing (#1 - fusion complex with increased or dominant R wave, independent of QRS duration, #2- QS pattern with QRS duration normalization, and #3- QS pattern with increased QRS duration) were undertaken after CRT devices implantation. Response to CRT was estimated by echo and was defined as decrease in LV end-systolic volume by > 15% after 6 months of follow-up.Results. CRT was effective in 28 patients (59.5%). According to the results of NICM, zone of late LV activation more often was located at 5,6,11,12 segments, and LV pacing site - at 6,7,12 segments of LV. In the “response” group overlap of scar zone and zone of late LV activation was observed (p=0.005). The presence of scar tissue in the LV pacing site was associated with CRT non-response (pConclusions. A comprehensive examination, including the study of the structural and electrophysiological heart features is important for the optimal positioning the LV lead and subsequent CRT device programming. The simple analysis of the QRS pattern during BV pacing can show whether biventricular pacing is adequately performed and can reveal inadequate CRT programming and LV lead positioning.

Objective: to assess the diagnostic meaning of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in various clinical forms of myocarditis. Materials and methods. 11 (8 men, mean age 32.8±11.1 years) patients (pts), hospitalized with suspected acute coronary syndrome, while an acute myocardial infarction was excluded during the examination (group I); 48 pts (31 men, 43.1±12.7 years), with clinical and instrumental signs of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) - group II; and 20 patients (12 men, 39.5±14 years), with episodes of ventricular tachycardia (group III) underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI). In 38 patients endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) was performed. Results and discussion. According to EMB, signs of active myocarditis were revealed in 10 (34.5%) group II pts and in 3 (37.5%) group III pts; signs of resolved myocarditis - in 8 (27.6%) patients in group II and in 3 (37.5%); minimal morphological changes - in 11 (37.9%) patients of group II and in 2 (25%) patients of group III. In 9 (81.9%) patients of group I MRI data allowed to establish the diagnosis of acute myocarditis. Signs of active inflammation from MRI data were detected in myocardium 5 (10.4%) in group II pts and 7 (35%) in group III pts. In 22 (45.8%) pts in group II and 10 (50%), CMR data corresponded to the picture of resolved myocarditis. In 21 (43.8%) cases of group II and 3 (15%) of group III, MRI revealed minimal structural changes. In pts with clinical and instrumental signs of DCM and/or ventricular tachycardia MRI allows to identify signs of "active myocarditis" with a sensitivity of 37.5% with a specificity of 83.4%. At the same time, in cases of resolved myocarditis and minimal morphological changes MRI has high sensitivity (70 and 71.5%) and specificity (71.5 and 75%, respectively). Conclusion. CMR has high diagnostic significance in patients with infarct-like course of myocarditis. In patients with clinical syndrome of dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmias, the sensitivity of MRI in detecting active myocarditis is low (37.5%) with high specificity (83.4%). In cases of minimal structural changes in the myocardium and resolved inflammation, CMR is a good alternative to EMB.

У пациентов с дилатационной кардиомиопатией (ДКМП) часто развиваются нарушения внутрижелудочковой проводимости, которые способствуют усугублению клинического течения сердечной недостаточности, в большинстве случаев имеют прогрессирующее течение, и могут определять прогноз заболевания. Пароксизмальные суправентрикулярные аритмии у таких больных протекают с тяжелыми клиническими проявлениями, нередко сопровождаются гемодинамической нестабильностью и синкопальными состояниями.Представлен клинический случай пациентки К., 59 лет с ДКМП, сниженной фракцией выброса левого желудочка (35-37%), блокадой левой ножки пучка Гиса и пароксизмальной ортодромной реципрокной тахикардией. При постановке диагностического электрода в верхушку правого желудочка в ходе процедуры радиочастотной аблации добавочного пути проведения у пациентки было отмечено возникновение полной поперечной блокады.Сохранение полной поперечной блокады в течение операции, ее рецидивы при попытках удаления электрода из верхушки правого желудочка потребовали обеспечения временной, а затем постоянной электрокардиостимуляции. Учитывая ДКМП, со снижением фракции выброса левого желудочка, наличие блокады левой ножки пучка Гиса и высокий ожидаемый процент стимуляции правого желудочка, принято решение об имплантации сердечного ресинхронизирующего устройства с функцией дефибриллятора. В обзоре литературы рассмотрены факторы риска развития полной поперечной блокады в ходе катетеризации сердца, возможности профилактики этого опасного осложнения, обсуждены прогностическая значимость катетер-индуцированных нарушений проводимости, показания к временной и постоянной электрокардиостимуляции.

Purpose. To assess and to compare the ventricular myocardium activation patern obtained by non-invasive epi- and endocardial mapping (NIEEM), as well as electrocardiographic (ECG) variants of lef bundle branch block (LBBB) and to estimate the value of these data for the success of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).Materials and methods. Te study included 23 patients (mean age 59,6±9,9 years) with LBBB, QRS duration ≥ 130 ms, lef ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 35%, heart failure (HF) NYHA II-IV despite optimal pharmacological therapy during 3 month. All patients had undergone CRT-D implantation. Depending on presence or absence of LBBB ECG-criteria, proposed by Strauss D.G. et. al, patients were divided into 2 groups: 1group - strict LBBB, proposed by Strauss D.G. et. al. (n=14) and 2 group – other ECG morphologies of LBBB (n=9). NIEEM by the Amycard 01C system with an analysis of epi- and endocardial ventricular electrical activation was performed in all patients and 5 healthy volunteers (mean age 29±1,0years). Response to CRT was estimated by echo and was defned as decrease in lef ventricular (LV) end-systolic volume by > 15% afer 6 months of follow-up.Results. LBBB ECG-criteria, proposed by Strauss D.G. et. al, was detected in 14 patients (61% of all included). According to the results of NIEEM, these patients had more pronounced ventricular electrical uncoupling (VEU) (р=0,002). Most ofen the line of block was detected in the anteroseptal or posterolateral region of the LV. Te zone of late LV activation, which is the most optimal position for the LV pacing electrode, was located in the basal and middle segments of the lateral and posterior walls. Afer 6 months of CRT 15 patients (65%) were included in the "response" group, the remaining 8 patients (35%) formed the "non-response" group according to echo criteria. In the "response" group the morphology of the QRS complex more frequently met the criteria, proposed by Strauss D.G. et al, than other ECG variants of LBBB (12 vs. 3 respectively, p = 0.023). Initially, VEU was more pronounced in the "response" group (VEU 55 [51, 64] ms in the "response" group vs 22 [8, 38] ms in the "non-response" group).Сonclusions. LBBB ECG criteria, proposed by Strauss D.G., identify patients with delayed transseptal interventricular conduction due to complete LBBB, what is a good target for CPT. Identifcation of individual ventricular activation properties may help to reveal responders to CRT in patients with LBBB.

Aim. To assess the value of the complex analysis of electrocardiographic (ECG) variants and echocardiographic (echo) manifestation of left bundle branch block (LBBB) in predicting the success of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Materials and methods. The study included 39 patients (mean age 61.49±9.0 years) on sinus rhythm with LBBB, QRS duration ≥130 ms, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35%, heart failure (HF) NYHA II-IV despite optimal pharmacological therapy during 3 month. All patients had undergone CRT-D implantation. Depending on presence or absence of ECG-criteria, proposed by D.G. Strauss et al., patients were divided into 2 groups: 1 group - strict LBBB, proposed by D.G. Strauss et al. (n=29) and 2 group - other patients (n=10). In addition to standard echocardiography, global longitudinal 2-dimensional strain (GLS) and LBBB contraction pattern have been performed initially and in 6 months after implantation. Response to CRT was defined as decrease in LV end-systolic volume by >15% after 6 months of follow-up. Results and discussion. Typical LBBB echo contraction pattern was detected in 25 patients (64% of all included). These patients had more pronounced longitudinal dissynchrony and a more expressed global longitudinal strain before CPT-D implantation (p

This case presents an episode of electrical storm (ES) in post-myocardial infarction patient results from myocarditis. ES was interrupted by aneurysmectomy and additional isolation of VT origins by radiofrequency catheter ablation. The histological evaluation of aneurysm material proved acute myocarditis. The key findings indicating acute inflammation in myocardium was an increased level of peripheral inflammatory biomarker IL6 and autoantibodies to beta1-adrenergic receptor (β1-AAbs). Gated SPECT with phase images analysis turned out to be appropriate imaging strategy in visualizing potentially reversible causes of ventricular arrhythmias such as myocarditis. Taking together our findings might add some information on the pathogenesis and predisposing factors of ventricular arrhythmias especially in the cases of electrical storm.

Objective This study aimed to assess the level of anti-1-adrenergic receptor autoantibodies in patients with ventricular arrhythmias with no signs of organic heart disease and with presence of cardiovascular pathology in comparison with a group of healthy volunteers. Material and methods The study included 44 patients with ventricular arrhythmias with no signs of organic heart disease ("idiopathic"), 34 patients with diagnosed dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) of inflammatory origin, 35 patients with coronary heart disease and ventricular arrhythmias, 12patients with coronary heart disease with no ventricular arrhythmias, and 19 healthy volunteers (control group). The level of autoantibodies against the 1-adrenergic receptor was determined by the developed competitive cell-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and by the standard ELISA using peptides corresponding to the second extracellular loop of the 1-adrenergic receptor. Results Elevated level of autoantibodies detected by a competitive cell-based ELISA was observed in 62% of patients with DCM compared to 21% of healthy volunteers (p=0.0006). In patients with "idiopathic" ventricular arrhythmias, the level of 1-adrenergic receptor autoantibodies was lower than in healthy subjects (p=0.003). Coronary heart disease patients with or without ventricular arrhythmias exhibited no differences from the control group. The number of significantly positive signals in peptide-based ELISA did not exceed 10% in any of the groups. No correlation between the data from competitive cell-based ELISA and peptide-based ELISA was found. Conclusions This study demonstrated that competitive cell-based ELISA technique can be applied for detection of 1-adrenergic receptor autoantibodies. The results in DCM patients generally correspond to the expected. Decreased level of autoantibodies in patients with "idiopathic" ventricular arrhythmias indicates that this disease is related to changes in the immune system. Such relation is not observed in the case of coronary heart disease patients.

Aim. To analyze the literary and own data about clopidogrel influence on platelets during inflammation and to reveal particularities of its usage in ischemic heart disease (IHD) patients with active inflammation. Material and methods. The platelet morphology and a number of leukocyte-platelet aggregates (LTA) were investigated with scanning electron microscopy in 110 patients with stable angina pectoris of I-III functional class and 18 healthy volunteers. Spontaneous and ADP-induced platelet aggregation were assessed with laser aggregatometre manufactured by LLC “BIOLA”. Mean platelet volume (MPV) was estimated with the hematological analyzer . All investigations were performed in IHD patients before and after 2 months of clopidogrel treatment 75 mg a day. Results. IHD patients demonstrated appearance of LTA and big reticular platelets in the blood, increase in MPV and spontaneous aggregation. ADP-induced platelet aggregation was rarely increased probably due to acetylsalicylic acid therapy in all IHD patients. These platelet activity changes are connected with increased risk of thrombotic events and correlated with inflammation markers levels. After 2 months of clopidogrel treatment LTA number reduced in 4 times and big reticular platelets number decreased in 2.5 times as well as MPV and spontaneous aggregation achieved the normal ranges. Conclusion. Clopidogrel has not only antithrombotic effect but also can diminish platelets morphological and functional changes connected with inflammation.

Кальций является одним из основных структурных макроэлементов, обеспечивающих нормальное развитие растущему организму. В организме кальций выполняет многочисленные функции. Ионы кальция регулируют практически все основные процессы, кальций входит в состав многих структурных соединений – белков, ферментов, витаминов, гормонов и комплексов с аминокислотами. Кальций жизненно необходим; поддержание постоянной концентрации кальция в крови – жестко детерминированная константа. Остеопороз на сегодняшний день смело можно назвать «невидимой эпидемией». Это одно из наиболее распространенных заболеваний, которое занимает ведущее место в структуре заболеваемости и смертности населения. Одним из предрасполагающих факторов к развитию этого заболевания является дефицит кальция. Коррекция кальциевого гомеостаза является важнейшей задачей в профилактике переломов и лечении возрастозависимого остеопороза.

In 22 patients with heart failure and/or ventricular arrhythmias presumably of inflammatory etiology the results of clinical and instrumental investigation were analyzed and compared to the endomyocardial biopsy data. In the subgroup of patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) we revealed features indicative of lesser contribution of inflammatory destruction in pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy. The only virus, detected in biopsy samples, was parvovirus B19. Its persistence in myocardium was not related to activity of inflammation and severity of clinical course. Increased expression of Coxsackie adenovirus receptor (CAR) was found in 20 patients. It was not related to inflammatory cells infiltration and virus persistence in myocardium. Patients with most prominent CAR expression were characteried by right heart dilatation, more severe heart failure and absence of LBBB. Enhancement of CAR expression could reflect the attempt of organism to repair intercellular communications between cardiomyocites and to protect cells from the products of necrotic lysis during long standing inflammation.

We studied morphological characteristics of platelets and parameters of platelet aggregation in patients with dilation cardiomyopathy. Augmented aggregatory activity of platelets was found in 76% of patients. In blood of majority of patients we found circulating leukocyte-platelet aggregates. This evidenced for development of inflammatory process and could be related to disturbances of blood rheology. In 2 patients examined by virusological method we revealed presence of a virus inside platelets. This phenomenon might serve as one of possible pathological pathways of disease progression at the account of spread of viral infection along vascular bed during thrombus formation.