Optimization of intravascular volume determination in patients with acute decompensated heart failure

Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is based on multilevel pathological pathways, which include hemodynamic overload and venous stasis. Determination of the volemic status is one of the most important tasks in managing such patients. Despite the availability of modern diagnostic markers (physical examination, chest x-ray, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) assessment), they do not accurately assess the degree of fluid overload, and therefore there remains a need to find a new, accurate and simple technology for assessing pulmonary congestion. The urgency of this problem has led to the development of a novel non-invasive remote dielectric sensing (ReDS) technology, which is a quantitative method for measuring the total volume of lung fluid by determining the tissue dielectric properties. The use of this technology makes it possible to quickly, non-invasively and quantitatively measure the fluid content in the lungs, makes it possible to optimize the treatment regimen and reduces the number of readmissions. This article presents the results of studies on the efficacy, safety and prospects for using a ReDS technology for the quantitative measurement of total lung fluid in patients with ADHF

СОПОСТАВЛЕНИЕ РЕЗУЛЬТАТОВ КОМПЬЮТЕРНОЙ ТОМОГРАФИИ И ВНУТРИСОСУДИСТОГО УЛЬТРАЗВУКОВОГО ИССЛЕДОВАНИЯ В ОЦЕНКЕ ПАРАМЕТРОВ АТЕРОСКЛЕРОТИЧЕСКИХ БЛЯШЕК КОРОНАРНЫХ АРТЕРИЙ

Purpose. To determine the possibilities of coronary CT-angiography (CTA) in evaluation of qualitative and qualitative parameters of coronary plaques in comparison with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).Matherials and methods. 37 patients (29 men, 8 women) with symptoms of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were included in the study. Unstable angina was detected in 24 patients, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) – in 13 patients. Averageage was 58 [44; 65] years. CTA had been performed as the first method of beam diagnostics in all cases if it was not necessary to use the emergency selective coronary angiography (CAG). IVUS was performed in one, two or three coronary arteries of every patient. Total, 60 coronary lesionsin 55 arteries were examined with IVUS. IVUS data was compared with CTA data.Results. Methods well correlated in detection of plaque burden (r = 0.823; p < 0.0001), plaque length (r = 0.932, p < 0.0001), remodeling index(RI) (r = 0.906; p < 0.0001). Sensitivity and specificity of CTA in detection of irregular contour was 96.1% and 88.9% (area under ROC-curve 0.925), positive remodeling – 100% and 97.4% (area under ROC-curve 0.974). CTA and IVUS in evaluation of spotty calcinates was not coincide in 9 plaques, sensitivity and specificity of CTA in detection of 71% and 100% (area under ROC-curve 0.855).Discussion. Comparison of CTA and IVUS was performed in evaluation of plaques features in patients with ACS. This analysis showed high comparability of methods for evaluation of coronary stenosis degree, RI, plaque burden, length and contour. Thus, the characteristics of plaques according to CTA data can be used to stratify the risk of development of ACS.Conclusion. CTA – fast non-invasive method of coronary plaques evaluation. CTA correlates well with IVUS.Цель исследования: определить возможности КТ-ангиографии (КТА) в оценке количественных и качественных характеристик атеросклеротических бляшек (АСБ) в коронарных артериях по сравнению с данными внутрисосудистого ультразвукового исследования (ВСУЗИ).Материал и методы. В исследование было включено 37 пациентов (29 мужчин, 8 женщин), поступивших в отделение неотложной кардиологии с клинической картиной острого коронарного синдрома (ОКС), из которых у 24 диагностирована нестабильная стенокардия, у 13 – острый инфаркт миокарда. Средний возраст больных составил 58 [44; 65] лет. Всем пациентам первым из лучевых методов исследования была выполнена КТА коронарных артерий при отсутствии необходимости экстренного проведения инвазивной коронарной ангиографии. Каждому из 37 пациентов ВСУЗИ было выполнено в одной, двух или трех коронарных артериях. Всего с помощью ВСУЗИ обследовано 60 измененных участков в 55 коронарных артериях. Данные ВСУЗИ сравнивались с результатами КТА.Результаты. Корреляционный анализ показал высокую сопоставимость методов в определении бремени бляшки (r = 0,823; p < 0,0001), протяженности бляшки (r = 0,932; p < 0,0001), индекса ремоделирования (ИР) (r = 0,906; p < 0,0001). Чувствительность и специфичность метода в выявлении неровности контура составили 96,1 и 88,9% (площадь под кривой 0,925), положительного ремоделирования – 100 и 97,4% (площадь под кривой 0,974) соответственно. При оценке точечных кальцинатов в 9 мягких бляшках данные КТА не совпадали с данными ВСУЗИ. а чувствительность и специфичность метода составили 71 и 100% (площадь под кривой 0,855) соответственно.Обсуждение. В представленной работе впервые в нашей стране проведен сравнительный анализ состояния бляшек в коронарных артериях по данным КТА и ВСУЗИ у больных с ОКС, который показал высокую сопоставимость методов для определения степени стенозирования просвета коронарных артерий, ИР, бремени, протяженности и контуров бляшки. Таким образом, характеристики АСБ по данным КТА можно использовать для стратификации риска развития ОКС.Заключение. КТА является быстрым неинвазивным методом оценки состояния АСБ. Результаты КТА хорошо коррелируют с данными ВСУЗИ

Multiparameter magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of prostate cancer

Multiparametric magnetic-resonance imaging study was performed on 89 patients in magnetic-resonance imager 3 T. In 61 of them identified prostate cancer. Identified opportunities and the role of the complex magnetic resonance imaging in the clinical diagnostic algorithm for cancer of the pancreas, compared the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance spectroscopy, diffusion-weighted imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic-resonance imaging. Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic-resonance imaging is one of the important methods for diagnosis of prostate cancer, specifying the location and staging of neoplastic process. Multiparametric magnetic-resonance imaging study of patients of prostate cancer has a great advantage compared with other clinical and diagnostic radiation methods in determining the localization of the true size of the tumor and its degree of aggressiveness. </p

Magnetic resonance semiotics of prostate cancer according to the PI-RADS classification. The clinical diagnostic algorithm of a study

Objective: to elaborate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signs of prostate cancer (PC) in accordance with the PIRADS classification during multiparametric MRI (mpMRI).Material and methods. A total of 89 men aged 20 to 82 years were examined. A control group consisted of 8 (9%) healthy volunteers younger than 30 years of age with no  urological history to obtain control images and MRI plots and 20 (22.5%) men aged 26–76 years, whose morphological changes were inflammatory and hyperplastic. The second age-matched group included 61 (68.5%) patients diagnosed with prostate cancer at morphological examination. A set of studies included digital rectal examination, serum prostate-specific antigen, and transrectal ultrasoundguided prostate biopsy. All the patients underwent prostate mpMRI applying a 3.0 T Achieva MRI scanner (Philips, the etherlands).Results. The patients have been found to have mpMRI signs that were typical of PC; its  MRI semiotics according to the PI-RADS classification is presented. Each mpMRI rocedure has been determined to be of importance and informative value in detecting PC.Conclusion. The comprehensive mpMRI approach to diagnosing PC improves the quality and diagnostic value of prostate MRI

THE ROLE OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE MAMMOGRAPHY AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY IN THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF BREAST TUMORS

Objective: to investigate the possibility of enhancing the efficiency of complex magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, including MR mammography with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and MR spectroscopy for the differential diagnosis of breast tumors.Material and methods. The investigation enrolled 87 patients with breast tumors and 15 healthy volunteers. The mean age of the examinees was 55.7±3.5 years. MR mammography with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and subsequent morphological diagnosis verification were performed in 100% of cases. MR spectroscopy was carried out in 93.1% of the patients with breast tumors.Results. There were 189 breast tumors, including 154 (81.5%) and 35 (18.5%) hypervascular and avascular ones, respectively. MR mammography could reveal only 36% of the hypervascular masses. The sensitivity of contrast-enhanced MR mammography was 97.1%, and the specificity was variable. Its specificity was 96.9% for BIRADS 2 and BIRADS 5 and 45% and 55% for BIRADS 4 and BIRADS 3, respectively. MR spectroscopy in addition to MR mammography could increase the overall specificity of the technique up to 98.3%.Conclusion. Comprehensive MR examination that involves MR mammography with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and MR spectroscopy makes it possible to visualize breast tissues, to identify additional masses, to investigate not only the morphological, but also chemical structure of the identified tumors, which allows the most precise differential diagnosis between benign and malignant lesions

CAPABILITIES OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN THE EVALUATION OF SOFT TISSUES SURROUNDING THE UPPER AIRWAY IN PATIENTS WITH OBESITY AND OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA SYNDROME

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 &lt; 0.001). The area of MUAS at the level of RPR and RGR was smaller than that in the mild OSAS group (p &lt; 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

MAGNETIC RESONANCE TOMOGRAPHY IN SLEEP APNEA SYNDROME DIAGNOSTICS

Aim. To study the specifics of soft tissues surrounding upper airways (STSUA) structure using magnetic resonance tomography (MRI) in patients with obesity and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Material and methods. Totally 40 men studied with the mean age 44,7±9,6 y. Of those 20 had obesity of I-II grade — with body mass index (BMI) 35,1±3,4 кг/м2 and severe OSAS (apnea-hypopnea index — AHI — was 53,4±15,7). Controls consisted of 20 persons without obesity — BMI 23,8±1,3 kg/m2 . Assessment of upper airways was performed on Philips Achieva 3.0T tomograph. We measured the volumes of soft palate (VSP), tongue (VT), lateral pharyngeal walls (VLPW) and the squares of maximum upper airways narrowing (SMUAN) at retropharyngeal (RP) and retroglossal (RG) levels. Results. In obese patients with OSAS we found higher values of TV — 70,5±12,4 vs 45,0±5,7 cm3 , VSP — 7,5±1,7 vs 3,5±0,7 cm3 , VLPW at the level of RP — 11,7±4,1 vs 3,2±0,8 cm3 , VLPW at the level of RG — 10,4±2,8vs 3,1±8,4 cm3 and lower values of SMUAN at the level of RP — 6,3±3,5 vs 14,0±3,8 cm2 , as RG — 19,3±7,5 vs 27,0±5,0 mm2 . All differences were statistically significant (p&lt;0,001). Conclusion. MRI can be successfully applied for the evaluation of STSUA parameters of upper airways openness

Osobennosti kliniki i diagnostiki ishemicheskoy nefropatii u bol'nykh sakharnym diabetom 2 tipa

Цель. Оценка распространенности особенностей клинического течения и прогностической значимости ИН у больных сахарным диабетом 2 типа. Материалы и методы. В скрининговое исследование были включены 157 пациентов (63 мужчины, 94 женщины) с СД 2 в возрасте старше 50 лет. Всем пациентам проводилось общеклиническое обследование: клинический анализ крови, общий анализ мочи, биохимическое исследование крови, коагулограмма, оценка углеводного обмена (гликированный гемоглобин), альбуминурия, скорость клубочковой фильтрации (СКФ), ЭКГ, суточное мониторирование АД, ЭХОКГ, осмотр глазного дна. Всем пациентам была выполнена дуплексная ультрасонография ПА и брюшной аорты аппаратом. Для верификации диагноза ИН выполнялась магнитно резонансная ангиография (МРА) ПА и брюшной аорты с внутривенным введением контрастного препарата. Результаты. Выявлено 58 (36,3%) пациентов с СД 2 со стенозом ПА, из них: у 47 (28,7%) пациентов ? односторонний, у 11 (7,6 %) ? двусторонний. Оценивая возрастное распределение ИН, было отмечено, что чаще всего стеноз ПА определялся в возрастной группе от 50 до 59 лет ? 41,3%, в группе 60?69 лет этот показатель составил 30,7%, у пациентов старше 70 лет ? 40,9%. При сравнении значений уровня креатинина и СКФ до и после МРА и МСКТ статистически значимых различий получено не было. Оба метода визуализации позволили безопасно верифицировать диагноз у больных СД 2 с СКФ >30 мл/мин/1,73м2. Заключение. Дуплексная сонография ПА и брюшной аорты может служить методом скрининга ИН у больных СД 2. МРА и МСКТ являются безопасными методами верификации диагноза при условии соблюдения профилактики контрастиндуцированной нефропатии у больных СД 2. ИН является фактором риска прогрессирования кардиальной и почечной патологии у больных СД 2

Rituximab as a rescue therapy in patients with glomerulonephritis

To evaluate the use of rituximab in the treatment of severe glomerulonephritis (GN) in order to prevent progression of kidney disease toward the end stage, we designed a multicenter, retrospective study in Saudi Arabia about the efficacy and safety of the use of "off label" rituximab in a variety of severe refractory GN to conventional treatment and the progression of kidney disease for at least one year of follow-up. All the patients had kidney biopsies before treatment with rituximab, and proteinuria and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were followed-up for the period of the study. The immediate side-effect at the time of administration of rituximab included itching in three patients, hypotension in one patient and anaphylaxis in one patient (dropped out from the study). After the administration of rituximab in 42 patients and during the first six months of therapy, 16 (38%) patients had complete remission (CR), 13 (31%) patients had partial remission (PR) and 13 (31%) patients had no remission. The mean follow-up period for the patients was 19.0 ± 6.97 months (median 18.0 months). The long-term follow-up during the study period disclosed a good hospitalization record for almost all of the patients. Membranous GN (MGN) was the largest group in the cohort (58% of the patients), and we observed CR and PR in 40% and 28% of them, respectively, which was comparable with the previous experience with rituximab in MGN patients with more CR than PR in our cohort. We conclude that our study suggests the safety and efficacy of the use of rituximab in patients with refractory GN and that larger and long-term prospective studies are required to define the role of rituximab in the different categories of these diseases