Drug-Induced Atrial Fibrillation / Atrial Flutter

Drug-induced atrial fibrillation / flutter (DIAF) is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication of pharmacotherapy. Purpose of the work: systematization and analysis of scientific literature data on drugs, the use of which can cause the development of DIAF, as well as on epidemiology, pathophysiological mechanisms, risk factors, clinical picture, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, treatment and prevention of DIAF. Analysis of the literature has shown that many groups of drugs can cause the development of DIAF, with a greater frequency while taking anticancer drugs, drugs for the treatment of the cardiovascular, bronchopulmonary and central nervous systems. The mechanisms and main risk factors for the development of DIAF have not been finally established and are known only for certain drugs, therefore, this section requires further study. The main symptoms of DIAF are due to the severity of tachycardia and their influence on the parameters of central hemodynamics. For diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct an electrocardiogram (ECG) and Holter monitoring of an ECG and echocardiography. Differential diagnosis should be made with AF, which may be caused by other causes, as well as other rhythm and conduction disturbances. Successful treatment of DIAF is based on the principle of rapid recognition and immediate discontinuation of drugs (if possible), the use of which potentially caused the development of adverse drug reactions (ADR). The choice of management strategy: heart rate control or rhythm control, as well as the method of achievement (medication or non-medication), depends on the specific clinical situation. For the prevention of DIAF, it is necessary to instruct patients about possible symptoms and recommend self-monitoring of the pulse. It is important for practitioners to be wary of the risk of DIAF due to the variety of drugs that can potentially cause this ADR

The influence of antyhypertensive therapy of valsartan and fixed combination with hydrochlorothiazide use on pulse-wave velocity and central arterial pressure in patients with arterial hypertension of 1-2 grades in international VICTORY clinical trial

Objective - to explore influence of valsartan monotherapy use and its use in combination with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) on pulse-wave velocity (PWV) and central arterial pressure (CAP) in patients with arterial hypertension (AH) of 1-2 grades in international VICTORY clinical trial. Materials and methods. The international multicenter prospective randomized clinical study VICTORY that lasted for 16 weeks included patients with 1-2 grades AH. In patients who previously received antihypertensive therapy a 7 days washout period was carried out. All patients started their therapy with 80 mg valsartan (Valsacor®, KRKA, Slovenia); in Russia the starter dose of Valsacor®, KRKA was 160 mg in previously treated patients that did not influence the study results. If after 4 weeks of treatment BP was more than 140/90 mm hg (more than 130/80 mm hg in high risk patients or in diabetes mellitus patients) the dose of valsartan was increased to 160 mg (320 mg in Russia) or diuretic in fixed combination with valsartan was added (160 mg valsartan/12.5 mg HCTZ): Valsacor® H 160 (KRKA, Slovenia). If target BP after 8 weeks of treatment was not reached valsartan dose was increased to 320 mg or fixed combination of valsartan and diuretic (160 mg/12.5 mg) was used. If target BP after 12 weeks of treatment was not reached - valsartan and diuretic 320 mg/12.5 mg were used. PWV and CAP (SphygmoCor®, AtCorMedical) were assessed at baseline and after 16 weeks of treatment. The primary endpoints were assessment of the impact of studied medications on aortic stiffness, aortic augmentation index and comparison of absolute medians of reached central and peripheral BP reduction with baseline value. Results. Of 365 patients included in the study 74 were included in PWV and CAP study subgroup. Valsartan and its combination with HCTZ were effective in CBP reduction. The mean absolute reduction of central systolic and diastolic BP after 16 weeks of treatment was 19.7±12.9 mm hg and 13.9±8.5 mm hg, respectively (

Применение принципов damage control и использование системы локального отрицательного давления для профилактики инфекционных осложнений у пациента с травматическим отрывом верхней конечности и массивным повреждением мягких тканей

The article presents a clinical case of the successful treatment of a patient with traumatic separation of the upper limb and massive damage to the soft tissues of the upper shoulder and chest. The effectiveness of applying the damage control principles and the method of local negative pressure for the prevention of local and systemic infectious complications is emphasized.В статье приведено клиническое наблюдение успешного лечения пациента с травматическим отрывом верхней конечности и массивным повреждением мягких тканей верхнего плечевого пояса и грудной клетки. Подчеркнута эффективность применения принципов damage control и метода локального отрицательного давления для профилактики местных и системных инфекционных осложнений

INTERDISCIPLINARY CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES "MANAGEMENT OF OBESITY AND ITS COMORBIDITIES"

Clinical guidelines have long been one of the working tools of the modern doctor, helping him quickly navigate the most effective proven methods of treatment and prevention of various diseases, and also to adapt these methods to the specific tasks of their patients and to achieve maximum personalization of treatment. Clinical  practice guidelines are drawn up by professional non-profit associations and are approved by the Scientific Council of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, while often one recommendation is prepared by two or even three associations. The peculiarity of the recommendations offered to your attention is that not only endocrinologists, but also therapists, cardiologists, gynecologists, gastroenterologists, and experts of many other specialties are involved in the prevention and treatment of obesity. The Multidisciplinary Working Group presents this a project in a multidisciplinary journal to bring together the efforts of several professional associations that associated with the need to pay attention not only to obesity itself but also to comorbid conditions. We are looking forward to constructive criticism and a comprehensive discussion of the problem on the pages of our journal

Effect of angiotensin II receptor blockers and calcium antagonists on cognition

The article offers a definition, classification and describes the pathogenetic mechanisms of cognitive impairment in patients with arterial hypertension. The potential of different classes of antihypertensive drugs in the management of cognitive impairment and dementia prevention is discussed. The possible mechanisms of the improvement of cognitive functions during treatment with angiotensin II receptor blockers and calcium antagonists are considered

How to Choose the Optimal Single-Pill Combination of the First-Line Antihypertensive Drugs? The Benefits of Amlodipine and Telmisartan Combination

In patients with arterial hypertension (AH), an extremely important measure of the effectiveness of antihypertensive drugs (AHD) is not only a direct decrease in blood pressure (BP), but also its stable control throughout the 24 hours, preventing excessive morning surge and increased BP variability, which in turn are recognized cardiovascular risk factors. Currently, in the vast majority of hypertensive patients, the main antihypertensive therapy approach is using single-pill combinations (SPC) of AHD. Among the first-line combinations for a wide range of patients with AH and no special clinical conditions is amlodipine/telmisartan SPC. Distinctive features of these drugs, on the one hand, are unique pharmacological properties, consisting in an ultra-long antihypertensive effects, superior to other AHD in their classes; and on the other hand, there is an large body of evidence from numerous clinical trials confirming their high antihypertensive and target-organ protective potential as well as excellent capabilities in cardiovascular risk reduction. To assess the AHD effectiveness extent, several parameters have been proposed, of which the most rational and useful is the smoothness index, calculated using the ambulatory blood pressure monitoring data. Smoothness index describes both the degree of BP reduction and its distribution during the monitoring period. This index inversely associates with the changes in BP variability, and has predictive value in relation to the hypertension-mediated organ damage regression during different antihypertensive regimens. Amlodipine/telmisartan SPC has also been studied in many trials, including comparative ones with other AHD. In these works its direct powerful antihypertensive effect and a pronounced beneficial impact on the smoothness index have been proved, demonstrating stable BP control throughout the 24 hours (especially in the most dangerous morning hours), and also a decrease in BP variability. Therefore, amlodipine/telmisartan SPC can effectively reduce cardiovascular risk and improve prognosis in patients with AH

Felodipine in Treatment of Arterial Hypertension and Ischemic Heart Disease

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death both in the world and in the Russian Federation. The most significant contributors to the increase in mortality are arterial hypertension (AH) and ischemic heart disease (IHD). Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are the first line of treatment for these conditions. This is noted in the clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of AH and in the guidelines for the management of patients with chronic coronary syndromes. CCBs are a heterogeneous group of drugs that have both general and individual pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. They are used in patients with AH and/or IHD, including those with concomitant diseases (diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, peripheral arterial disease). Felodipine is one of the CCBs. It has a combination of clinical effects, allowing the drug to be prescribed as a first-line therapy for AH, IHD and a combination of these diseases. This is noted in the registered indications for its use. This CCB has a sufficient evidence base of clinical trials demonstrating not only good antihypertensive and antianginal potential of the drug, but also the nephroprotection and cerebroprotection properties. The nephroprotective effect of felodipine is associated with a slowdown in the progression of chronic kidney disease, and the cerebroprotective effect is associated with a decrease in the risk of stroke and an improvement in cognitive functioning. The safety profile of felodipine is favorable: peripheral edema develops much less frequently. This is confirmed by the results of comparative studies. Felodipine is recommended for a wide range of patients with AH, IHD and their combination due to such clinical and pharmacological properties

The effectiveness of atorvastatin in the prevention of stroke

Summary. The article examined the relationship between the risk of stroke and various profiles of lipid metabolism. The findings show that only statins, unlike many other lipid-lowering drugs, significantly reduce the risk of both primary and recurrent stroke. The discussion is focused on research findings demonstrating a lower risk of cerebral events during treatment with atorvastatin. It is stressed that in case of administration of generic drugs, the same level of efficiency and safety can only be guaranteed if the generic has a proven therapeutic equivalence to the original drug