ANALYSIS OF FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH FRAILTY SYNDROME IN PATIENTS WITH HEART FAILURE

OBJECTIVE

Aim: Determination of factors associated with frailty syndrome (FS) in patients with heart failure (HF).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and methods: Consecutive patients hospitalized in the department were assessed for the presence of FS using L. Fried criteria, Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) and Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI). Presence of arterial hypertension, diabetes, obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and heart failure was included in the analysis based on patients' medical history and findings from current hospitalization. Patients were assessed for the presence of depression using Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI). Physical capacity was assessed using NYHA classification.

RESULTS

Results: 87 patients (mean age 81.4±6.7; 57 women; 11 HFrEF, mean NYHA 2.36±1.21; 11 HFmrEF, mean NYHA 2.18±1.08; 65 HFpEF mean NYHA 1.94±1.09) were included in the analysis. Multivariable analysis showed significant relationship between FS assessed with EFS and age (β=0.316, SE=0.08; p=0.0001), arterial hypertension (β=-0.194, SE=0.08; p=0.0173), COPD (β=0.176, SE=0.08; p=0.0300) and depression (β=0.565, SE=0.08; p=0.0000). FS assessed with L. Fried criteria was significantly related to age (β=0.359, SE=0.09; p= 0.0001), NYHA classification (β= 0.336, SE=0.09; p=0.0002) and depression (β=0.297, SE=0.09; p=0.0010). Age (β=0.251, SE=0.10; p=0.0114) and depression (β=0.375, SE=0.1; p=0.0002) were significantly related to FS assessed using TFI. In multivariable analysis HF phenotype was not significantly related to FS.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: Age and depression assessed with BDI are related to FS in patients with HF. Arterial hypertension and COPD are linked to FS assessed using EFS, whereas NYHA classification is linked to FS assessed with L. Fried criteria. No statistically significant relationship was found between FS and HF phenotype.

FINE-NEEDLE ANGIOGRAPHY IN CHRONIC LIMB-THREATENING ISCHEMIA DIABETIC PATIENTS

OBJECTIVE

The aim: The features and efficiency of performing fine-needle angiography for Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia (CLTI) in Diabetic Patients diagnosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and methods: From 2015-2020, a total of 180 angiography procedures were performed in below-the-knee (BTK) arterial disease diabetic patients with CLTI (Rutherford category 4 to 6). Relative contraindications such as severe heart failure, myocardial infarction (MI), arterial hypertension, impaired renal function, allergy to contrast media and intolerance to antiplatelet therapy we carefully evaluated and compared with the major amputation risks. Patients were selected with adequate inflow to the common and popliteal arterys, as defined by presence of normal ipsilateral femoral and popliteal pulse, biphasic or triphasic Doppler waveform. Ultrasound controlled fine-needle angiography, by retrograde puncture of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) was performed with an 18G-70mm angiographic needle in 96 patients (1st group). Antegrade angiography using femoral sheath in 84 patients (2nd group).

RESULTS

Results: We have obtained adequate visualization BTK vessels by administering "Omnipak 300" 70% solution 9 mL with a power injector at a 3 mL/sec rate through the needle. Through the sidearm of the femoral sheath a total of contrast 15 mL, administered at 5 mL/sec rate. Fine-needle angiography 2.16 times reduces the injected contrast amount in patients. The hemorrhagic events frequency in the 1st group was significantly lower.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: Fine-needle angiography is recommended for CLTI Diabetic Patients diagnosis.

APELIN IN HEART FAILURE

Apelin is a biologically active protein encoded by the APLN gene. It was first isolated in 1998 as a ligand for the APJ receptor. It exists in several isoforms differing in polypeptide chain length and biological activity. It is secreted by white adipose tissue, and its expression has been identified in many body tissues, including the cardiovascular system, kidneys, lungs, CNS (especially the hypothalamus, suprachiasmatic and ventricular nuclei), skeletal muscle, mammary glands, adrenal glands, ovaries, stomach, liver cells, placenta, and breast milk. However, the highest concentrations were observed in the endocardium and endothelium of vascular smooth muscle cells. In myocardial tissue, apelin has a positive inotropic effect and exerts an opposing effect to the RAA (renin-angiotensin-aldosterone) system, lowering blood pressure. Therefore, its positive role in early stages of heart failure, in patients with hypertension and ischemic heart disease is emphasized. The synthesis and secretion of apelin by adipocytes makes it possible to classify this peptide as an adipokine. Therefore, its production in adipose tissue is enhanced in obesity. Furthermore, apelin has been shown to increase cellular sensitivity to insulin and improve glucose tolerance in the onset of type 2 diabetes, and therefore appears to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of metabolic disease. An accurate assessment of the importance of apelin in cardiovascular disease requires further studies, which may contribute to the use of apelin in the treatment of heart failure.

Heart remodeling, treatment of myocardial infarction with diabetes mellitus 2nd type and heart failure

Scientific 42 articles were analyzed, which for analysis were taken from scientometric databases: Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Medline, on topics related to: heart remodeling, treatment of myocardial infarction with type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart failure. Analysis of current medical studies and the data obtained indicate both availability in the usage of new HF biological markers - suppressor of tumorigenesis 2 (ST2), and the efficiency in the use of antagonists of miniralocorticoid receptors and sodium-glucose linked transporter-2 inhibitors, which is complicated by HF and type 2 diabetes by slowing down the processes of LV myocardial remodeling, which promotes control of blood pressure and fluid volume and causes a decrease and gradual regression of HF regardless of its origin.

[Angiotensin-neprilysin inhibition in ckd: does it confer a double benefit?]

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at risk of progression to end-stage renal disease and high cardiovascular mortality. Data from other populations and animal experiments suggests that angiotensin-neprilysin inhibition may be superior to renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibition in reducing the risk of cardiovascular mortality and retarding the progression of CKD. The review summarizes the existing evidence on the potential benefits of angiotensin-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNi) in CKD.