Focused vascular ultrasound. Consensus of Russian experts

Variability of Measurement and Feasibility of Assessing Changes in Brachiocepahlic Atherosclerotic Plaque After Acute Coronary Syndrome

Aim      Analysis of inter- and intra-study variability of changes in the atherosclerotic plaque (ASP) total height and total area, the main quantitative indexes that were planned to be used in the present study for assessment of the atherosclerotic load of carotid arteries.Material and methods  The incidence of recurrent cardiovascular complications (CVC) within 1 year after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) ranges from 7-9 % (in studies) to 34 % (in clinical practice). This indicates insufficient efficacy of traditional approaches to secondary prevention of coronary heart disease. We proposed a study to test a hypothesis that the dynamics of ASP parameters in carotid and subclavian regions can serve as an alternative criterion for the adequacy of secondary prevention after ACS. The analysis was performed on subgroups of main study participants. These patients had ACS of any type documented by coronary angiography with an ASP confirmed by ultrasound of the brachiocephalic arteries (BCA) during the index hospitalization. BCA ultrasound was performed to analyze the inter- and intra-study variability of BCA atherosclerotic load, the ASP total height (Hsum) and total area (ASPTA), in 20 and 24 patients of the main study, respectively. Results of the repeated ultrasound were evaluated in 30 patients of the main study after 6 months of follow-up.Results The inter-study variability of each index was significantly higher than the intra-study variability which was consistent with results of previous studies. The intra-study variability of Hsum was 0.10 (95 % confidence interval, CI - 0.23-0.44) mm and ASPTA, 1.05 (95 % CI, - 0.54-2.63) mm2. The variability values were considerably smaller than the changes for 6 months: Hsum, 0.92 (95 % CI, - 0.64-2.49) mm and ASPTA, 3.67 (95 % CI, 0.42-6.91) mm2, although the difference did not reach statistical significance. The above results were obtained at an early stage of the study during the adaptation of specialists to the protocol.Conclusion      The study results suggest a possibility of a fairly reliable assessment of the dynamics of quantitative indexes of carotid ultrasound 6 months after ACS.

Ultrasound-assisted examination in internal medicine practice

The guidelines have been developed for internists, general practitioners, emergency physicians, and paramedics. The guidelines are based on expert consensus papers, accumulated clinical and scientific experience. The methodology for organizing and conducting ultrasound-assisted examinations is described in detail. Algorithms for diagnosing the main syndromes in internal medicine practice are presented to help the practitioner. Particular attention is paid to the methodology of ultrasoundassisted examinations. These guidelines will be of interest to doctors, heads of medical facilities, as well as students of medical universities.

COVID-19-associated phlebopathy as a current problem of modern phlebology

Введение. SARS-CoV-2 сопровождается развитием дисфункции венозного эндотелия, которая может привести к развитию персистирующей флебопатии нижних конечностей, снижаю щей качество жизни пациентов.

Цель. Оценить эффективность фармакологической терапии пациентов с постковидной флебопатией.

Introduction. SARS-CoV-2 is accompanied by the development of venous endothelial dysfunction, which can lead to the development of persistent phlebopathy of the lower limbs, reducing the quality of life of patients.

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of pharmacological therapy in patients with postcocclusive phlebopathy.

Materials and methods. 178 patients (125 women), mean age 34.8 ± 3.2 years, who underwent SARS-CoV-2, for their first veno-specific complaints received micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF) 1,000 mg per day for 90 days. Complaints were monitored using a 10-cm visual analog scale and the CIVIQ-20 questionnaire. All patients underwent ultrasound examination of the venous system of both lower extremities and photoplethysmography. Laboratory biochemical examination with determination of endothelial dysfunction marker levels was performed in 30 patients before and after treatment.

Results. After 90 days of phlebotropic therapy, there was a significant reduction in the severity of all venous-specific complaints, except for intradermal vein dilation. The global quality of life index increased from 64.4 ± 11.2 to 86.6 ± 9.1% (p < 0.001). There was an improvement in photoplethysmography (PPG) scores. Return blood-flow time and tibial venous muscle pump strength increased significantly (p < 0.05) by 4.3 s and 3.5%, respectively. The 30 patients who underwent biochemical examination in the first blood samples obtained from the great saphenous vein showed a significant increase in IL-1 concentration (7.8 ± 0, 7 pg/ml), IL-6 (18.7 ± 1.8 pg/ml), VEGF (187.8 ± 11.6 pg/ml), TNF (7.8 ± 0.9 pg/ml), histamine (22.4 ± 11.4 nmol/L) and hsCRB (5.4 ± 0.3 mg/L), indicating that a proinflammatory phenotype of venous endothelium was formed. After 90 days of MOFF administration, these indices significantly decreased. The levels of IL-1 and IL-6 decreased by 3.2 and 10.4 pg/ml, respectively, the values of VEGF and TNF decreased by 114.6 pg/ml and 2.9 pg/ml. There was a gradual normalization of histamine and hsCRB to 6.1 ± 4.1 nmol/L and 1.1 ± 0.9 mg/L.

Conclusions. The data obtained indicate that the appearance of veno-specific symptoms and syndromes in patients who have undergone SARS-CoV-2 may be due to the development of phlebopathy, the correction of which requires the use of pharmacological drugs with relevant mechanisms of action.