Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide and account for the majority of healthcare costs. The presence of systemic atherosclerosis is primarily assessed at the clinical stage, most often ischemic, with the development of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and acute arterial insufficiency. Practicing physicians require a step-by-step algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment of systemic atherosclerosis, taking into account the diversity of dyslipidemia with increased levels of low-density cholesterol, triglycerides, and atherogenic lipoproteins. This article proposes an approach that ranges from identifying risk factors for systemic atherosclerosis, determining cardiovascular risk using the SCORE scale, and assessing dyslipoproteinemia, including familial hypercholesterolemia, to the step-by-step determination of vascular stiffness, the presence of atherosclerotic plaque, the degree of vascular stenosis, and instability, as well as the selection of drug therapy and assessment of its efficacy and safety, reduction of overall cardiovascular risk, and increased survival based on data from international randomized trials. New approaches to diagnosing atherosclerotic plaque instability in the internal carotid artery system are presented, which may become an important milestone in stroke prevention. Combination lipid-lowering therapy is a modern approach to increasing survival in cardiovascular patients.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and dementia represent the most prevalent non-communicable diseases affecting the aging population posing a substantial burden on healthcare systems. For a long time, this comorbidity was attributed solely to shared risk factors. However, accumulating evidence from prospective studies indicates that AF per se is independently associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia, even in patients without a history of stroke. This review analyzes the methodological challenges inherent in studying this relationship and synthesizes current evidence on the pathophysiological mechanisms linking AF to cognitive decline. The following pathways are examined: cerebral hypoperfusion, silent microembolization, cerebral microangiopathy, and chronic systemic inflammation. Additionally, data on the effects of various AF management strategies (anticoagulant therapy, rhythm control) on cognitive function are presented.

Acute dissection of the ascending aorta (Stanford type A) represents one of the most critical emergencies in cardiovascular surgery and necessitates urgent operative intervention. This review aims to synthesize current surgical strategies and evaluate treatment outcomes in patients with type A aortic dissections based on recent international studies and contemporary clinical guidelines. Evidence consistently demonstrates that surgery remains the cornerstone of management, offering a substantial survival benefit compared with conservative approaches. Modern operative techniques encompass replacement of the ascending aorta, hemiarch or total arch reconstruction, aortic root procedures, and the application of hybrid approaches such as the Frozen Elephant Trunk technique. The establishment of specialized centers for aortic surgery, advances in cerebral perfusion techniques, and standardization of surgical decision-making contribute to improved early and long-term treatment outcomes.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal disorders. Beyond typical gastrointestinal manifestations, increasing attention is being paid to the potential extraesophageal effects of gastroesophageal reflux disease, particularly its possible impact on the cardiovascular system. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze and summarize data from original studies on the effect of gastroesophageal reflux disease on blood pressure parameters and cardiovascular risk in adult patients.

Materials and Methods. This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A literature search was performed in PubMed, Google Scholar, and eLibrary databases for the period from 2015 to 2025. Inclusion criteria comprised original studies (cohort, cross-sectional, case-control) conducted in adult populations that analyzed the association between gastroesophageal reflux disease and arterial hypertension or clinically significant cardiovascular events. A total of 15 studies were included in the final analysis.

Results. The analysis demonstrated a consistent association between gastroesophageal reflux disease and an increased risk of arterial hypertension (OR = 1.43–1.52). Mendelian randomization data confirmed the causal nature of this relationship. Gastroesophageal reflux disease was also associated with an increased risk of acute myocardial infarction (HR = 1.48–1.70), coronary artery disease, and atrial fibrillation. Antisecretory therapy and surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease contributed to improved blood pressure control.

Conclusion. The findings indicate the clinical significance of the association between gastroesophageal reflux and arterial hypertension as well as cardiovascular events. Effective management of gastroesophageal reflux may contribute to improved blood pressure control and reduced cardiovascular risk.

Background. Atrial fibrillation is one of the leading causes of cardioembolic acute ischemic stroke and a major indication for long-term anticoagulant therapy. In patients who develop acute ischemic stroke while receiving anticoagulants, the selection of a reperfusion strategy is complicated by the need for rapid decision-making within a limited therapeutic time window, the potential risk of hemorrhagic complications, and the inability in some cases to promptly assess clinically relevant residual anticoagulant activity.

Objective. To summarize current evidence on the selection of a reperfusion strategy in patients with acute ischemic stroke receiving vitamin K antagonists or direct oral anticoagulants, with a focus on the safety of intravenous thrombolysis, laboratory assessment of anticoagulant status, reversal of anticoagulant effect, and the role of endovascular thrombectomy.

Key Content and Findings. In patients receiving vitamin K antagonists, the international normalized ratio remains the key laboratory criterion for determining eligibility for intravenous thrombolysis. In patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants, decision-making should take into account the specific drug, time since last intake, renal function, availability of specific laboratory assays, and individual hemorrhagic risk. Contemporary observational data suggest that intravenous thrombolysis may be safe in carefully selected patients with recent direct oral anticoagulant intake; however, the absence of randomized trials and universally accepted laboratory thresholds requires cautious interpretation of these findings. Reversal of anticoagulant effect may be considered in selected clinical scenarios, but it should not be regarded as a universal approach to expanding eligibility for thrombolytic therapy. In patients with large-vessel occlusion, endovascular thrombectomy remains a key reperfusion strategy and should not be delayed for clarification of anticoagulant status.

Conclusions. The available evidence supports the development of locally adapted algorithms for selecting a reperfusion strategy in patients with acute ischemic stroke receiving anticoagulant therapy. Such algorithms should aim to reduce time to reperfusion, decrease variability in clinical decision-making, and avoid inappropriate withholding of effective reperfusion therapy.

Aim. To study the clinical outcomes and prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis and infection.

Materials and methods. A prospective observational study was conducted on 338 hospitalized patients with liver cirrhosis aged 55.00 (45.00, 63.00) years, including 189 (55.92%) men and 149 (44.08%) women. Of these, 78 (23.08%) were class A, 118 (34.91%) class B, and 142 (42.01%) class C. Statistical data analysis was performed using R programming language (version 4.5.0). The significance level α was set to 0.05. The study was registered with Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05335213).

Results. The survival rate of patients with liver cirrhosis without infections is significantly higher than that of patients with any infection (p adj < 0.001).

During 45 months of follow-up, death occurred in 70.3% of patients with liver cirrhosis and urinary tract infection, which is significantly higher than the rate in those without infection (33.8%) (χ2 with Yates correction = 40.77, p < 0.001, Cramer’s V = 0.35).

The incidence of urinary tract infections and other infections was significantly higher in deceased patients (56.25% and 39.38%, respectively) compared to patients who continued treatment (21.71%) (p < 0.001). Patients with an unfavorable prognosis had a higher prevalence of decompensated cirrhosis and acute kidney injury (p < 0.001).

In patients with liver cirrhosis and infections, including urinary tract infections, the instantaneous risk of death at any time point was more than four times higher than in the infection-free reference group, after adjustment for sex and age (HR = 4.31; 95% CI: 2.75–6.77; p < 0.001). Furthermore, male sex was associated with a moderate but statistically significant increase in the risk of an adverse outcome (HR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.01–1.95; p = 0.045). In patients with cirrhosis and urinary tract infection specifically, the instantaneous risk of death was also more than four times higher (HR = 4.32; 95% CI: 2.88–6.50; p < 0.001) compared to the reference group.

In patients with liver cirrhosis and infection, the expected time to an unfavorable outcome of the disease is reduced by 7.7 times.

Conclusion. The survival rate of patients with liver cirrhosis is directly related to the presence of decompensation of the disease, acute kidney injury, and infections, including urinary tract infections, all of which require careful screening and adequate treatment.

One of the key tasks of modern cardiology is the timely diagnosis of acute myocarditis. Myocardial inflammation can cause serious cardiac disorders and poses a threat to the patient’s life.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of cardiac arrhythmias, conduction, and structural and functional changes in patients with acute myocarditis hospitalized in the Minsk city children’s infectious diseases hospital in 2015–2025.

Materials and methods. 55 patients were examined. ECG data, Echocardiography data and laboratory markers (troponin I, myoglobin, proBNP) were analyzed.

Results. The viral etiology of the disease was confirmed in 81.8% of cases (Enteroviruses 18.2%, Influenza A 10.9%, SARS-CoV-2 7.3%). Rhythm/conduction disorders were detected in 70.9% of patients and were represented by: sinus arrhythmia in 20% of patients, extrasystoles (30.9%; χ2 = 16.04, p = 0.001; 58.8% were ventricular), AV blockages of the II-III stage (27.8%), blockages of the legs of the bundle of His (23.6%; χ2 = 13.13, p = 0.003). An increase in the BWR and CSR of the left ventricle (27.3% and 38.2% of patients according to the Z-score), a decrease in LV in 30.9% of patients with a Z-score and LV score of less than 28% in 34.5% of cases correlated with the level of proBNP (p = 0.38, p = 0.048) and the clinic of decompensation (tachycardia p = –0.32, p = 0.04).

Conclusion. Acute myocarditis is associated with a high incidence of arrhythmias, which we identified in 70.9% of cases. It was found that prolongation of the QT interval (up to 486 ms in 20%) and Tpe (23.6%) is associated with an increase in proBNP (p = 0.74, p = 0.037 for QT).; p = –0.78, p = 0.022 for Tpe) and CRP (p = 0.45, p = 0.004), T wave inversion (38.2%) and troponin I (20%), indicating myocardial electrical instability as a marker of early left ventricular overload.

Aim. To present the experience of surgical treatment of atrioventricular block by endocardial left bundle branch area pacing and to describe the clinical follow-up of 12 pediatric patients at the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Pediatric Surgery.

Materials and Methods. This article reports the experience of permanent pacemaker implantation with a ventricular lead placed in the left bundle branch area in 12 pediatric patients with atrioventricular block. The mean age was 12.67 ± 3.27 years old, the mean weight was 48.64 ± 15.83 kg. The mean follow-up period was 10.58 ± 4.89 months (3 – 18 months). Before and after the surgical intervention, the QRS complex duration and a number of echocardiographic parameters were measured. Standard pacing parameters were also assessed during the implantation and after 3 months. The presence of peri- and postoperative complications was evaluated.

Results. Successful left bundle branch area pacing was achieved in all 12 patients. In all cases the criteria for left bundle branch capture were recorded: the paced QRS displayed the pattern of the right bundle branch block in lead V1, mean V6 RWPT = 55,17 ± 8,87 ms, IPT V1-V6 = 43,50 ± 6,5 ms. Optimal and stable pacing parameters on the ventricular lead were noted during implantation and at the 3-month follow-up visit (mean threshold at 3 months: 0.54 ± 0.1 V; mean sensitivity: 13.33 ± 3.45 mV; mean impedance: 493.25 ± 92.12 Ohm). The paced QRS complex demonstrated physiological contraction of both ventricles (the mean duration of the paced QRS complex was 100.67 ± 11.14 ms). During the postoperative follow-up period, left ventricular dimensions and ejection fraction did not change significantly. No implantation-related complications occurred in the perioperative period.

Conclusion. Left bundle branch area pacing can be considered an effective and safe method of surgical treatment of atrioventricular block in pediatric patients, providing optimal pacing parameters, physiological ventricular contraction and potential prevention of pacemaker-induced cardiomyopathy, which necessitates further long-term observation.

Objective: to determine the effect of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers in combination therapy with calcium channel blocker on the dynamics of systemic inflammatory biomarkers in patients with hypertension.

Materials and мethods: the study included 105 patients aged 18 to 60 years with stage I-II hypertension and ineffective blood pressure control (office blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg). Patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 received perindopril at an average dose of 5.94 ± 2.14 mg and amlodipine 6.07 ± 2.11 mg; group 2 received telmisartan 52.89 ± 19.6 mg and amlodipine 5.89 ± 1.93 mg in comparable doses (p = 0.075 for perindopril and telmisartan, p = 0.645 for amlodipine).

A clinical examination was performed at baseline and one year after taking the prescribed antihypertensive therapy; a complete blood count was performed with the calculation of hematological indices: systemic immune inflammation index; systemic inflammatory response index; neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio; platelet to lymphocyte ratio; lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio; monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio; lipidogram; determination of the concentration of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, cystatin C, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor-α, angiotensin II, and angiotensin-converting enzyme-2.

Results: in a comparative prospective analysis, office systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels significantly decreased in patients of both groups during antihypertensive therapy: in group 1 from 145.85 ± 19.54/93.13 ± 12.36 to 133.13 ± 12.36/83.87 ± 9.11 mmHg (p < 0.001), in the 2nd – from 146.10 ± 11.75/93.90 ± 9.77 to 128.44 ± 22.18/84.00 ± 9.29 mm Hg (p < 0.001).

In patients of group 1, there was a decrease in the blood content of interleukin-1β from 3.04 (1.84; 5.11) to 1.58 (0.88; 2.72) pg/ml (p = 0.003), interleukin-8 from 4.88 (4.27; 7.05) to 4.11 (2.53; 5.64) pg/ml (p = 0.007), cystatin C from 1.04 (0.93; 1.15) to 0.98 (0.87; 1.09) mg/ml (p < 0.001) and angiotensin II from 142974 (78048; 186608) to 101940 (54954; 153292) ng/ml (p = 0.016). In patients of group 2, there was a decrease in the level of interleukin-8 from 5.31 (3.88; 6.58) to 3.57 (2.42; 5.23) pg/ml (p < 0.001) and cystatin C from 1.03 (0.91; 1.12) to 0.95 (0.87; 1.06) mg/ml (p = 0.002).

Conclusions: in patients with hypertension, combined treatment with perindopril and amlodipine showed a decrease in the concentrations of interleukin-1β, interleukin-8, cystatin C, and angiotensin II over the course of a year. Patients taking telmisartan with amlodipine showed a decrease in interleukin-8 and cystatin C levels.

Aim. To evaluate the probability of infectious complications in the early postoperative period among heart transplant recipients from donors with positive blood cultures, considering the microbiological profile and levels of systemic inflammatory markers.

Materials and methods. This retrospective study included data from 60 orthotopic heart transplantations performed between August 2023 and December 2024. The results of bacteriological cultures of blood, central venous catheter segments, and myocardial biopsies of explanted hearts were evaluated, along with the levels of C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, fibrinogen, and immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, IgG). The cohort was subsequently divided into two groups based on the presence of donor bacteremia.

Results. It was established that donor bacteremia is not a predictor of early infectious complications in recipients (OR = 0.97); however, central venous catheter colonization statistically significantly increases the risks of developing donor bacteremia (OR = 4.00). The etiological structure of the isolates was dominated by nosocomial pathogens (S. epidermidis and A. baumannii), while the contamination of explanted heart tissues was independent of the donor’s systemic infection. The group with positive blood cultures exhibited significantly higher concentrations of IgA and IgG (p < 0.001), with no statistically significant intergroup differences in classic inflammatory markers.

Conclusion. Microbial colonization of the central venous catheter is a leading risk factor for the development of donor-derived bacteremia, which is associated with the activation of specific humoral immunity without significant changes in acute-phase markers. Due to the high barrier resistance of the myocardium, systemic donor infection does not lead to graft contamination and, consequently, does not increase the risk of early infectious complications in the recipient.

To identify risk factors and predictors of hospital complications of myocardial infarction in young patients.

Materials and Methods. The prospective study included 130 young patients aged 18 to 44 years with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who underwent endovascular revascularization. The average age was 38.9 ± 5.4 years. All patients included in the prospective study underwent conventional clinical, instrumental, and laboratory examinations, which included the collection of anamnestic data, physical examinations, and a set of laboratory tests, including high-sensitivity troponin I (TnI), complete blood count, biochemical blood test, and N-terminal fragment of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP). Patients underwent echocardiography and coronary angiography. Contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed 3–5 days after the endovascular intervention.

Results. Factors associated with the development of life-threatening complications at the hospital stage of treatment in young patients with MI were: pre-revascularization TIMI flow grade 0–1; thrombosis of the proximal segment of the left anterior descending artery; absence of collateral circulation and intermediate coronary stenoses, time to reperfusion, Killip class III–IV heart failure.

Risk factors and predictors of hospital heart failure development in young patients were: the time interval from the onset of pain syndrome to reperfusion; the presence of microvascular obstruction and intramyocardial hemorrhage on MRI; smoking; multivessel coronary artery disease, and CKD. The NT-proBNP level and the peak troponin I level were independent predictors of all complications during the hospital stage of treatment.

Conclusion. Risk factors and predictors associated with the development of life-threatening complications and the progression of heart failure during the hospital stage of treatment in young patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction have been developed.

Introduction. Post-COVID syndrome (PCS, long COVID, ICD-10 code U09.9) affects approximately 36% of individuals who have had COVID-19 and is characterized by clinical heterogeneity spanning cardiorespiratory, neurocognitive, musculoskeletal, and psychoemotional domains. Cardiovascular manifestations of PCS (myocarditis, arrhythmias, thromboembolic events), and dyslipidaemia may persist for up to three years after acute infection; however, the phenotypic structure of PCS and its association with metabolic risk markers in young patients remain insufficiently studied.

Aim. To identify the main PCS phenotypes in patients aged 18–44 years using symptom-based cluster analysis (k-means) and to assess their association with metabolic markers (lipid profile, systemic inflammation indices, haemostasis parameters).

Materials and methods. A single-centre cross-sectional study (n = 251, aged 18–44 years). Phenotyping was performed by k-means clustering using 9 binary symptom variables. The optimal number of clusters was determined by silhouette coefficient. Assessments included lipid profile, systemic inflammation indices (NLR, PLR, SII), haemostasis markers (D-dimer, fibrinogen), ferritin, and CRP. Statistics: Kruskal–Wallis test, Mann–Whitney test with Bonferroni correction, chi-square test.

Results. Three phenotypes were identified: low-symptom (P1, n = 100; 39.8%), neurocognitive–psychoemotional (P2, n = 83; 33.1%), and multisystem (P3, n = 68; 27.1%). Phenotypes differed significantly in symptom burden (medians 4, 8, and 12 points; H = 160.8; p < 0.001), sex (χ² = 15.9; p = 0.0004), age (H = 18.2; p = 0.0001), and prevalence of overweight (p = 0.003). Ferritin proved to be the only metabolic marker with significant inter-phenotype differences (p = 0.030), with the highest level in P1 (median 64.8 ng/mL), possibly reflecting subclinical inflammatory activation in the presence of minimal symptoms. No significant differences between phenotypes were found for lipid profile (LDL, TC, TG, HDL), systemic inflammation indices (NLR, PLR, SII), or haemostasis markers (fibrinogen, D-dimer) (all p > 0.10). Nevertheless, dyslipidaemia was highly prevalent across the entire PCS cohort: LDL > 3.0 mmol/L in 52.0% and LDL > 2.6 mmol/L in 70.5% of participants.

Conclusion. The multisystem phenotype carries the greatest cumulative cardiovascular burden (oldest age, female predominance, highest prevalence of hypertension history and overweight) and represents a priority group for indepth cardiological follow-up. The high prevalence of dyslipidaemia across all phenotypes supports routine lipid profiling in young PCS patients in primary care.

Introduction. Spa treatment plays a significant role in the rehabilitation of patients with coronary heart disease, helping to consolidate the results of inpatient treatment and enhance the body’s adaptive reserves without increasing medication. This article examines the climatic conditions of the Priozerny Sanatorium and its impact on patients with functional class I and II coronary heart disease undergoing spa treatment and recuperation.

Aim. To evaluate the influence of climatic conditions of the health resort area (HRA) of the Priozerny health resort on the psychofunctional state and quality of life of patients with ischemic heart disease of I and II functional classes in order to increase the effectiveness of health resort treatment (climatotherapy).

Materials and methods. The climatic conditions of the Priozerny Sanatorium’s HRA were assessed using official data from the weather station located in the area covering the territory of the resort. The comfort of climatic conditions in winter was assessed using the following indices: Siple, Bodman, and Arnoldi weather severity. Psychoemotional status was assessed using validated questionnaires: the Differential Self-Assessment Test WAM (well-being, activity, mood), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the EQ-5D-5L quality of life questionnaire. The representative sample consisted of 50 patients with coronary heart disease, functional classes I and II.

Results. When assessing the indices, it was established: according to Bodman – a subjective feeling of “moderate coolness” or “comfort” (1.7 points); “weather severity” according to Arnoldi (–7.9 points), according to Seiple “slight cooling” (797.9 kcal/cm2). The analysis of the results of the psychofunctional state and quality of life of patients with coronary heart disease showed that there was a decrease in the average score on the depression scales from 3.12 ± 0.37 to 2.28 ± 0.30 and anxiety from 4.66 ± 0.46 to 3.06 ± 0.38 (p < 0.001); positive dynamics of changes in the results of the WAM test (significance level p < 0.001 according to the Wilcoxon criterion, well-being from 4.85 [3.95; 5.83] to 6.30 [5.55; 6.70]; activity from 6.15 [5.03; 6.58] to 6.65 [5.93; 6.90]; mood from 4.50 [3.93; 5.58] to 5.75 [4.93; 6.18]); the level of quality of life revealed a statistically significant increase from 0.84 [0.78; 0.89] to 0.92 [0.85; 1.00] (p < 0.001).

Conclusion. The climatic conditions of the Priozerny Sanatorium are favorable for patients with functional class I and II coronary heart disease. The assessment of winter climate severity indices demonstrates mild, comfortable, and invigorating conditions. The assessment of the psychofunctional status and quality of life of the patients with functional class I and II coronary heart disease receiving health promotion at the health resort revealed the high effectiveness of the treatment, which contributed to the emotional harmonization of patients, significantly reducing the level of situational anxiety and depression, it being an important factor in the prevention of cardiovascular complications.

Acute ischemic kidney injury is a serious complication in aortic and renal artery surgery. The development of optimal methods of intraoperative protection, such as local pharmaco-cold perfusion, remains a pressing issue.

The aim of this study in rabbits was to comparatively evaluate the histological efficacy of two perfusion regimens (continuous drip and fractional) with cooled Ringer’s and Custodiol-based solutions during 60-minute ischemia.

Materials and Methods. The study was performed on 22 rabbits divided into 6 groups: intact control, an ischemia model without protection, and 4 groups with different perfusion methods (continuous/fractional, Ringer’s-FG/Custodiol solution). After 60 minutes of renal artery ischemia with parallel perfusion and 48 hours of reperfusion, histological and morphometric examination of the renal tissue was performed.

Results and discussion. Ischemia without protection caused significant damage: glomerular congestion, atrophy, and tubular degeneration and necrosis. All perfusion protocols significantly reduced the severity of damage. The key factor in efficacy was the administration mode: continuous drip perfusion was significantly more effective than fractional perfusion (p ≤ 0.05). Continuous drip perfusion with cooled Ringer’s solution at low pressure (35–45 mmHg) demonstrated the most balanced protective effect on both nephron compartments.

Conclusion. Continuous drip perfusion of solutions for pharmaco-cold perfusion is superior to fractional perfusion. The optimal method for experimental conditions is continuous drip perfusion with chilled Ringer’s-FG solution under low pressure, ensuring the best preservation of both the glomerular and tubular apparatus of the kidney.

Screening for early, including hemodynamically insignificant, stages of coronary atherosclerosis is an urgent medical and social problem due to the high cost, low availability, and invasiveness of imaging methods for studying the cardiovascular system. The search for accessible laboratory biomarkers in order to identify priority groups for further instrumental studies of the heart remains a promising area of scientific research.

Aim. To compare the levels of haptoglobin and C-reactive protein in patients with different degrees of coronary atherosclerosis and different cardiovascular risks.

Material and methods. The study included 64 patients, who were divided into three groups based on the severity of coronary artery atherosclerosis: Group 1 – without atherosclerosis (n = 28), Group 2 – with non-stenotic atherosclerosis (stenosis 25–74%, n = 15), and Group 3 – with stenotic atherosclerosis (stenosis ≥ 75%, n = 21). The groups were comparable in terms of gender, age, and body mass index. The levels of haptoglobin and CRP in the blood serum were determined. The obtained data were processed using statistical packages Excel, Statistica 10.0.

Results. Patients included in the three study groups, formed according to the degree of coronary atherosclerosis, did not differ significantly in terms of haptoglobin levels (p = 0.1) and CRP levels (p = 0.4). When the subjects were re-grouped according to their cardiovascular risk category (moderate, high, and very high), differences in CRP levels were found (p = 0.04): patients with moderate cardiovascular risk had lower CRP levels compared to patients with high (p = 0.03) and very high (p = 0.03) risk.

Conclusion. The absence of significant differences in the levels of haptoglobin and CRP in patients with different degrees of coronary atherosclerosis (without stenoses, non-stenotic, and stenotic) casts doubt on their use as markers of stenotic vascular damage in the heart. However, the level of CRP showed statistically significant differences depending on the category of cardiovascular risk, which suggests its potential for risk reclassification.

To evaluate the quality of preoperative preparation in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) hospitalized for elective myocardial revascularization, including an analysis of the rate of achievement of target blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, as well as a comparison of these parameters depending on the chosen intervention method (percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) vs. coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Material and Methods. The study included 300 patients with a verified diagnosis of stable coronary artery disease who were indicated for planned myocardial revascularization between January 2025 and February 2026. The severity of coronary disease was assessed using the SYNTAX Score, and the functional class of angina was assessed using the Canadian Cardiology Society (CCS) classification. Selection criteria for PCI were: single- or two-vessel disease without involvement of the left main coronary artery (LMCA), SYNTAX Score ≤ 22. Selection criteria for CABG were: multivessel disease (≥ 3 vessels), LMCA stenosis > 50% or its equivalent, SYNTAX Score ≥ 23. The cohort was divided into two groups: PCI – 193 patients (64.3%), CABG – 107 patients (35.7%). The study design was a cross-sectional observational study. The data source was a specialized block registry containing 107 structured parameters. An analysis was conducted of prescribed drug therapy and the frequency of achieving target levels of blood pressure (< 130/80 mmHg), heart rate (55–60 bpm for patients with sinus rhythm), and LDL-C (< 1.4 mmol/L). Results. High coverage of the main classes of cardiotropic drugs was revealed (statins – 90%, beta-blockers – 90%, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/ angiotensin receptor blockers – 87.6%). Target blood pressure was achieved by 82% of patients, with no significant differences between groups. The average heart rate was 70.4 bpm, with no patients (0%) achieving the target level of 55–60 bpm. Only 30% of patients achieved the target LDL-C level < 1.4 mmol/L, with this figure significantly lower in the CABG group (21.5% versus 34.7% in the PCI group, p < 0.001). The addition of ezetimibe increased the proportion of patients with the target LDL-C level from 33.3% to 47.6%. The presence of patients not receiving antiplatelet therapy was identified (up to 14% in the PCI group).

Conclusion. Current drug therapy in patients with stable coronary artery disease before planned revascularization is characterized by high coverage, but insufficient intensification to achieve strict targets. The worst situation is observed in the group of the most severe patients (candidates for CABG), which requires optimization of preoperative preparation.

Aim. To evaluate clinical, instrumental and laboratory parameters associated with infective endocarditis of the prosthetic valve in patients in different observation groups.

Research methods. The study included 128 patients hospitalized in the Republican Scientific and Practical Centre “Cardiology” from 2016 to 2025, with suspected prosthetic valve endocarditis in accordance with the criteria proposed by researchers at Duke University. In accordance with the study design, patients underwent a number of clinical, instrumental and laboratory examinations. The patients of all groups were comparable in key clinical and laboratory data (p = 0.211).

Results and conclusion. In this study, the accuracy of PET method for confirming and excluding PVE based on the value of SUV = 2.5 as compared with the results of pathomorphological examination (confirmed and unconfirmed PVE) and long-term follow-up of patients with suspected PVE proved to be 63% and 94%. That is, the proportion of false positive results was quite high. In patients with SUVmax values > 5, PVE was confirmed in 100% of cases. However, PVE was also detected in 41.8% with SUVmax values ≤ 5, which indicated a high frequency of false-negative PET results. The values of the Cohen’s Kappa coefficient (k), used to assess the consistency of diagnostic methods, indicated that SUVmax ≥ 2.5 was not informative enough to confirm PVE, while SUVmax ≤5 was not informative enough to exclude PVE.

The high prevalence of obesity and diabetes mellitus within the framework of metabolic syndrome opens up new challenges for us – increased triglycerides, elevated non-HDL cholesterol and Lp(a), this leading to an increase in atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Extremely high hypertriglyceridemia is rarely detected, and it manifests in patients with diabetes mellitus in the form of complications such as acute pancreatitis. The article presents a clinical case of a 42-year-old woman with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes associated with extreme hypertriglyceridemia, management and therapy having been discussed.

Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) of the mitral valve using the MitraClip system is predominantly performed via a transfemoral approach. However, if this access route is unavailable, a transjugular approach can serve as an alternative.

Case Presentation. This article reports the first successful transcatheter M-TEER procedure using the MitraClip system in the CIS region. It involves a 55-year-old patient with dilated cardiomyopathy, severe functional mitral regurgitation, and congenital inferior vena cava atresia, which precluded standard femoral access. Due to refractory heart failure (NYHA class IV) and high surgical risk (EuroSCORE II 18.6%), access to the mitral valve was achieved via the right internal jugular vein (transjugular approach).

Conclusion. We describe the successful implementation of transcatheter endovascular mitral valve repair (M-TEER) via the right internal jugular vein in a patient with severe functional mitral regurgitation (MR). The technical aspects of this approach require careful consideration, given the limited number of reports on M-TEER procedures performed via the internal jugular vein.