Objective:There are noticeable sex differences in the treatment response to antihypertensives, with limited data on the response to single pill combinations. The aim of the PRECIOUS trial was to assess the treatment response to perindopril/amlodipine and perindopril/amlodipine/indapamide dual and triple single-pill combination in men and women.Methods:Four hundred and forty adults with essential hypertension were assessed in the 16-week interventional, open-label, prospective, international, multicentre trial. Based on the previous antihypertensive therapy, patients were assigned to either perindopril/amlodipine 4/5 mg or perindopril/amlodipine/indapamide 4/5/1.25 mg, with the initial dose up-titrated in 4-week intervals in case of uncontrolled blood pressure. An additional analysis was performed for sex- and age-related differences on the blood pressure response and arterial stiffness in men and women aged 35-74 years.Results:Women achieved better overall blood pressure control in all age groups, except for the 35-44 age group. Women presented higher average 24 h aortic augmentation indexes than men, but had more pronounced decreasing trends. The pulse wave velocity was only age-dependent, with reductions slightly greater in women. Both the aortic augmentation index and pulse wave velocity were significantly decreased in all groups compared to baseline.Conclusions:The results of the PRECIOUS trial contribute significant data to the expanding body of evidence on sex differences in hypertension, including the aspect of age-related changes during the life course of women. The differences between same-aged men and women tend to be smaller with advancing age, but with a greater treatment response in women in all age groups for all observed blood pressure parameters and arterial stiffness.Trial registration:ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03738761

Objective. Assessment of renal artery stenosis significance in patients with resistant arterial hypertension using non-invasive diagnostic methods and to compare them with the results of selective angiography and methods of physiological assessment of renal artery stenoses. Materials and methods. Prospectively, 156 patients with drug-resistant arterial hypertension and signs of renal artery stenosis detected by doppler ultrasonography of renal arteries were included in the study. Subsequently, 25 patients were excluded from the study due to multiple variant renal blood supply and bilateral renal artery stenosis. The remaining patients (n=131) underwent selective angiography of renal arteries, and 66 of them additionally underwent CTA of renal arteries with intravenous contrast. If the artery narrowing was 90% or more (n=27) in diameter, the stenosis was considered hemodynamically significant and further stenting of the affected artery was performed, and in case of 60-90% stenosis (n=52) additional assessment of functional significance of the stenosis was performed by measuring translesional pressure gradient, fractional blood flow reserve, instantaneous blood flow reserve (iFR) and Pd/ Pa ratio. Results. Among all patients (n=131), in whom the doppler ultrasonography of renal arteries showed signs of unilateral renal artery stenosis, after angiography combined with additional methods of functional significance assessment, hemodynamically significant renal artery stenosis was confirmed in 41% of cases (n=54). Thus, the sensitivity of doppler ultrasonography of renal arteries in detection of hemodynamically significant stenoses was 74%, prognostic value of positive 78% and negative result 64% (p<0,001). According to CTA (n=66) renal artery stenosis was confirmed in 56 patients. The results of CTA of renal arteries in 88% of cases coincided with the results of selective angiography, and using additional functional methods hemodynamically significant stenosis was confirmed in 32 (48%) patients. The sensitivity of CTA in detection of hemodynamically significant stenoses of renal arteries was 69%, specificity 91%, prognostic value of positive and negative results was 91 and 68% respectively. According to selective angiography, out of 131 patients, 24 patients had no renal artery stenosis, 28 patients had stenosis <60%, 27 patients had renal artery stenosis >90% and 52 patients had stenosis 60-90%. Patients with stenosis <60% were not considered candidates for renal artery stenting.

Objective: To assess obstructive sleep apnea impact on the target blood pressure (BP) value achievement in non-obese hypertensive patients. Design and method: In this prospective cross-sectional study were included 305 patients (mean age 60.0 years old [48.0; 67.0], 203 men) with different stages and grades of arterial hypertension (AH). All patients have been receiving antihypertension therapy, prescribed by their cardiologist, for at least 3 weeks before inclusion in the study. During the study, office systolic and dyastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP resp.) were assessed (oscillometric method, Omron, Japan) and home sleep respiratory monitoring (SomnoChek, Weinmann, Germany) was done in all patients. Results: Two groups were formed: non-target BP group (BP>140/90 mm Hg, n=164) and target BP group (BP<140/90 mm Hg, n=141). Comparative data analysis included such indicators as: age, body mass index (BMI), apnea/hypopnea index (AHI), desaturation index (DI) and minimum oxygen saturation (min SaO2), revealed only differences between age (61.0 years old [50.0; 68.0] versus 57.0 years old [47.0; 66.0] resp., p=0.03) and BMI (32.5 kg/m2 [29.7; 38.1] vs. 31.6 kg/m2 [27.8; 35.5] resp., p=0.02). The analysis of non-obese patients’ data (BMI <30 kg/m2, n=100) didn’t reveal differences by age, but a higher value of AHI and DI were determined in patients with non-target BP, as well as higher BMI; similar differences were not found in obese patients (BMI>30 kg/m2, n=205) (Table 1). In two-factor logistic regression analysis (included AHI and BMI) AHI was the only predictor of non-target BP in patients without obesity, while BMI had no predictive value (Table 2). Conclusions: Even mild or moderate obstructive sleep apnea may be an important negative factor in achieving BP targets in non-obese patients, unlike the other clinical cases with AH.

IntroductionTo identify predictors of excessive daytime sleepiness we analyzed data from the ‘Epidemiology of cardiovascular diseases in regions of Russia (ESSE-RF)’ study.MethodsData from participants of the cohort study ESSE-RF (2012–2013), aged 25–64 years, from 13 regions of Russia were analyzed (2012–2013). The participants were interviewed regarding their sleep complaints, including difficulties with initiating and maintaining sleep, sleepiness, and use of sleeping pills. Sleepiness was considered significant if it occurred at least three times a week. The examination encompassed social, demographic, and anthropometric measures, lifestyle factors, self-reported diseases, and laboratory parameters. The final analysis included 13,255 respondents.ResultsFrequent (≥3 times/week) sleepiness was reported by 5,8%, and occasional sleepiness (1–2 times/week) by 10.8% of respondents. Multivariate regression analysis identified significant predictors of frequent sleepiness. Sleep complaints (insomnia, sleep apnea, snoring) and frequent use of sleep medication were prominent factors. Additionally, age, female gender, higher education, and retirement status were associated with sleepiness. Beyond demographics and sleep, the analysis revealed predictors: abnormal anxiety levels, low high-density lipoprotein, high salt intake and following medical conditions: arrhythmia, hypertension, myocardial infarction, other heart diseases, and renal disease.ConclusionThis study identified a significant prevalence of EDS in Russians, aligning with global trends. However, findings suggest potential regional variations. Analysis revealed a complex interplay of factors contributing to EDS, highlighting the importance of individualized treatment approaches for improved sleep health.

Obesity is an independent risk factor оf cardiovascular diseases (CVD), type 2 diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension (HT). Optimization of CVD control methods is one of the most relevant and urgent problems for Russia. Many studies have shown that body weight correlates with blood pressure, and this relationship is due to complex pathogenetic mechanisms. Therefore, therapeutic approaches in a patient with obesity, metabolic syndrome and HT require consideration of all pathophysiologic changes associated with these diseases. Non-pharmacological treatments such as lifestyle changes including weight loss, following dietary guidelines and increasing physical activity can directly affect of BP levels and improve BP control. A wide range of nutritional interventions are effective in treating obesity and comorbidities, and clinicians must consider all options and provide personalized interventions. The Mediterranean diet, vegetarian diets, DASH-diet, Nordic diet, and low-carbohydrate diets have all been associated with improved metabolic health with or without changes in body weight. Recent evidence reinforce more the role of dietary fiber supplementation to the daily diet in patients with HT and metabolic syndrome, although no evidence of significant benefit has been found. Taking into account national dietary characteristics, we have proposed a study in which we plan to study the effect of the Russian diet with fiber supplementation on metabolic parameters in patients with HT. It is planned to evaluate the effect of diet therapy on indicators of metabolic disorders of intestinal metabolites.

Background. Obesity and associated diseases are the most common comorbidities in patients with arterial hypertension (AH). The combination of AH and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) significantly exacerbates the cardiovascular risk in this patients. BP control is one of the key components of the multivariate approach to reducing the risk of DM 2 complications. The use of drugs with pronounced antihypertensive properties and at the same time the ability to improve metabolic parameters should be a priority in this category of patients. Assessing the efficacy and safety of azilsartan medoxomil, the last molecule from the ARB class in patients with AH and DM 2 is an urgent task.Purpose. Evaluation of antihypertensive efficacy and safety of azilsartan medoxomil in patients with AH and DM 2 and overweight or obesity.Materials and methods. 235 overweight or obese patients with AH and DM2 enrolled in the international multicenter observational non-interventional prospective study CONSTANT with azilsartan medoxomil according to the approved label. The observation period is 6 months.Results. The dynamics of SBP by visit 4 (6 months) was 29,7±14,5 mmHg, DBP - 13,36±10,9 mmHg (r≤0,001). Overall, the group achieved BP targets in 211 (89.41%) DM patients enrolled in the study. Response to therapy (reduction in SBP by at least 20 mmHg, DBP of 10 mm Hg) was obtained in 177 (75.0%) patients. Glycated hemoglobin (p<0.001) and fasting glucose (p<0.001) significantly decreased in patients with AH and DM. A decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL was observed, including in DM patients not taking statins (p<0.001). Overall, a decrease in waist circumference was observed across the group (p<0.005).Conclusion. Azilsartan medoxomil in real clinical practice proved to be a highly effective antihypertensive drug in patients with AH and DM. The ability of the drug, including in combination with other drugs, to improve the metabolic profile, reduce the volume of adipose tissue makes it a priority drug of choice in patients with AH, obesity and type 2 DM.

Aim: to analyze the features of antihypertensive therapy in a sample of patients with arterial hypertension observed in primary healthcare (2019-2022), to identify the features of therapy in patients with uncontrolled and controlled hypertension. Materials and methods. An analysis was made of antihypertensive therapy in 4543 patients, the frequency of prescription of various combinations ofantihypertensive drugs. For statistical data processing, the SPSS statistical software package was used. Drug combinations prescribed in less than 2% of cases were excluded from the graphical presentation. Results. The majority of patients with hypertension were prescribed combined AHT (2, 3 and 4-component therapy represented in 28.3 %, 33 %, 24.8 %, respectively). More than 90 % of patients receive drugs that block the RAAS system, more than 85 % – BB. Every third patient received a CCB, diuretic therapy most often prescribed mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (39.8 %), loop diuretics (20 %). Thiazide-like diuretics are prescribed 1.8 times more often than thiazide ones (18.6 % and 10.1 %). In the structure of monotherapy in patients with hypertension, the leading prescriptions are BBs, ACEIs and ARBs (43.3 %; 31.4 %; 15.1 %) with a high incidence of coronary heart disease and heart failure. Combinations of BB, ACEI and ARB form the most frequently prescribed double combinations (BB+ACEI – 48.3 %; ARB and BB – 22.8 %). Almost all of the most commonly prescribed 4-antihypertensive combinations contained MRA. Among patients with controlled and uncontrolled hypertension, the frequency of prescription of different classes of antihypertensive drugs as monotherapy did not differ. Features of combination therapy in patients with uncontrolled hypertension included more frequent prescription of BB+ARB (25.6 % vs. 20.8 %), BB+ARB+TlD (15.7 % vs. 10.3 %), BB+ARB+CCB (11.1% vs. 6.3 %), ARB+CCBd+TlD (2.9 % vs. 1 %), BB+BRA+CCBd+TlD (15.3 % vs. 8.1 %), BB+ ACEI+CCBd+TlD (7.1 % vs. 2 %), BB+ACEI+CCBd+TlD+AB (5.3 % vs. 0 %), BB+ARB+CCBd+TlD+AB (5.3 % vs. 0 %). Patients with controlled hypertension were more often prescribed BB+ACEI (53.5 % vs. 41.3 %), BB+ACEI+MRA (22.8 % vs. 13.5 %), BB+ACEI+LD (3.6 % vs. 1.4 %), BB+ACEI+LD+MRA (27.1 % vs. 14.1 %), BB+ACEI+CCBd+MRA (19.6 % vs. 5.8 %), BB+ACEI+TD+MRA+LD (2.5 times, (23.8 % vs. 9.6 %)), BB+ACEI+CCBd+MRA+TD (5 times, (14.9 % vs. 2.9 %). Сonclusions. Further escalation of the use of combination therapy is necessary given the high rate of failure to achieve target values.

The сlinical guidelines present the main approaches to the management of patients with arterial hypertension (aH) using the principles of evidence-based medicine. The guidelines include sections containing expanded and updated information on the main aspects of diagnosis, treatment, prevention methods and follow-up patients with hypertension, taking into account the phenotypes of disease and various clinical situations, as well as secondary forms of hypertension of various origins.

Aim. To assess arterial wall stiffness in hypertensive men under 45 years old depending on the presence or absence of obstructive sleep apnea, and regardless of other factors potentially influencing arterial stiffness.Materials and methods. The study included 75 hypertensive men aged 18-44 years old. all patients underwent general clinical, laboratory and instrumental diagnostics, including biochemical blood test, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring (aBPM), overnight cardiorespiratory monitoring, sphygmography, applanation tonometry.Results. The mean age of included patients was 35.0 years old [29.0; 40.0]. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSa) (apnea/hypopnea index (aHI) ≥ 5 events/h) were older (38.5 years [35.0; 43.0] vs. 30.0 [28.0; 40.0], p=0.00), more often suffered from obesity (84.4% vs. 30.2%, p=0.00), had higher glucose levels (5.5 mmol/l [5.2; 6.0] vs. 5.1 [4.9; 5.4], p=0.00) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) (8.6 m/s [7.5; 9.8] vs. 7.4 [6.8; 8.2], p=0.00). at the same time, the frequency of dyslipidemia, blood pressure (BP) levels according to clinical measurements and aBPM, as well as other indicators of the structural and functional state of the arterial wall did not differ significantly between the groups. according to ROC analysis and multivariate logistic regression, it was determined that aHI> 4.9 events/h, clinical systolic BP (SBP) > 130 mm Hg, glucose level > 5.1 mmol/l and age > 37 years are independent markers of high risk of increased arterial stiffness in men under 45 years old.Conclusion. Obstructive sleep apnea, along with age, glucose levels, and elevated SBP, is an independent marker of increased arterial stiffness. To minimize the negative impact of the described factors on arterial wall stiffness, it is important to control SBP and glucose levels, as well as to treat OSa in young men, especially in the age over 37 years.

The aim of this guideline is to assist physicians in the management of patients with cardiovascular pathology and obstructive sleep-disordered breathing. The article consists data on diagnostic tactics for patients with possible sleep-breathing disorders, describes the basic principles of obstructive sleep apnea treatment, and substantiates the clinical significance of obstructive sleep apnea therapy initiating in the management of patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Aim. To evaluate the effect of prior administration of the soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator riociguat on the incidence and severity of reperfusion lung injury after balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) in patients with inoperable form of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).Materials and methods. 70 patients with inoperable CTEPH were included in the study. Patients were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (n=41) – patients who had received PAH-specific therapy with riociguat at the time of BPA, Group 2 (n=29) – patients who underwent BPA without prior administration of riociguat. In the postoperative period all the patients underwent noninvasive artificial ventilation in continuous positive airway pressure mode in order to prevent the development of reperfusion damage of lungs.Results. Patients of group 1 received treatment with riocigiat for 6 months. At the time of BPA patients of both groups were matched for hemodynamic characteristics. In group 1, reperfusion edema above grade 1 occurred in 17.1% of patients, in group 2 – in 20.7% of patients, p=0.702. In group 1, manifestations of grade 3 reperfusion edema were found in 9.8% patients vs. 6.9% patients in group 2, (p=0.638). None of the patients in both groups had grade 4 or 5 reperfusion edema. Values of the index predicting the probability of reperfusion injury (PEPSI) were not significantly different in the group of patients who were pretreated with riociguat and in the group of patients who did not get PAH-specific therapy (p=0,588).Conclusion. There was no reliable evidence that administration of riociguat in recommended doses at least 6 months before BPA results in additional reduction in the incidence and severity of reperfusion pulmonary edema in patients with inoperable CTEPH.

The understanding of the nature of catecholamine-secreting tumors has changed significantly in recent years, affecting terminology and classification. Phaeochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PCC/PG) is a rare neuroendocrine tumor from chromaffin tissue that produces and secretes catecholamines. The incidence of PCC/PG is relatively low, with 2–8 cases per 1 million population per year; among patients with arterial hypertension, their prevalence is 0.2–0.6%. However, delayed diagnosis of PCC/PG is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular complications and a high mortality rate. The consensus presents the clinical manifestations of the disease with an emphasis on the course of arterial hypertension as the most common symptom in PCC/PG; modern ideas about the features of diagnosis, aspects of preoperative preparation, treatment, and follow-up of patients with PCC/PG are considered.

Eurasian clinical practice guidelines for dietary management of cardiovascular diseases include actual healthy diet recommendations and modern dietary approaches for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Nutritional assessment and interventions based on pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases are presented.Modern nutritional and dietary recommendations for patients with arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, chronic heart failure, heart rhythm disorders, dyslipidemia and gout are summarized in present recommendations. Particular attention is paid to the dietary management of cardiovascular patients with obesity and/or diabetes mellitus. This guide would be interesting and intended to a wide range of readers, primarily cardiologists, dietitians and nutritionists, general practitioners, endocrinologists, and medical students.

The Russian Society of Cardiology (RKO)With the participation of: Russian Scientific Medical Society of Internal Medicine (RSMSIM)Approved by the Research and Practical Council of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (12.09.2024)

Objective. Assessment of renal artery stenosis significance in patients with resistant arterial hypertension using non-invasive diagnostic methods and to compare them with the results of selective angiography and methods of physiological assessment of renal artery stenoses.Materials and methods. Prospectively, 156 patients with drug-resistant arterial hypertension and signs of renal artery stenosis detected by doppler ultrasonography of renal arteries were included in the study. Subsequently, 25 patients were excluded from the study due to multiple variant renal blood supply and bilateral renal artery stenosis. The remaining patients (n=131) underwent selective angiography of renal arteries, and 66 of them additionally underwent CTA of renal arteries with intravenous contrast. If the artery narrowing was 90% or more (n=27) in diameter, the stenosis was considered hemodynamically significant and further stenting of the affected artery was performed, and in case of 60-90% stenosis (n=52) additional assessment of functional significance of the stenosis was performed by measuring translesional pressure gradient, fractional blood flow reserve, instantaneous blood flow reserve (iFR) and Pd/ Pa ratio. Results. Among all patients (n=131), in whom the doppler ultrasonography of renal arteries showed signs of unilateral renal artery stenosis, after angiography combined with additional methods of functional significance assessment, hemodynamically significant renal artery stenosis was confirmed in 41% of cases (n=54). Thus, the sensitivity of doppler ultrasonography of renal arteries in detection of hemodynamically significant stenoses was 74%, prognostic value of positive 78% and negative result 64% (p<0,001). According to CTA (n=66) renal artery stenosis was confirmed in 56 patients. The results of CTA of renal arteries in 88% of cases coincided with the results of selective angiography, and using additional functional methods hemodynamically significant stenosis was confirmed in 32 (48%) patients. The sensitivity of CTA in detection of hemodynamically significant stenoses of renal arteries was 69%, specificity 91%, prognostic value of positive and negative results was 91 and 68% respectively. According to selective angiography, out of 131 patients, 24 patients had no renal artery stenosis, 28 patients had stenosis <60%, 27 patients had renal artery stenosis >90% and 52 patients had stenosis 60-90%. Patients with stenosis <60% were not considered candidates for renal artery stenting.

Aim. To analyze the relationship between metabolic disorders and obesity with hemodynamic parameters and the severity of the condition of patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) based on the POLET register. Materials and methods. The study included patients with CTEPH from the POLET register. Data from medical history, lipid profile, glycemia, uric acid level, weight, height, functional class (FC), distance in the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), echocardiography, and right heart catheterization were used for analysis. Results. The study included 84 patients 60±14 years old, including 45 men. The majority of patients had FC III – 51 (65%), which corresponded to 6MWT – 338±113 m. Nineteen (23%) people had experience in taking PAH specific therapy, 37 (46%) had cardiovascular comorbidity. In the general group, the body mass index (BMI) was 25.7±4.5 kg/m2, and normal glycemia, lipid profile, and uric acid levels were also determined. mPAP was 51±12 mmHg, RA area was 25.5 (20; 30) cm2. Correlations were identified between: RA area and the level of total cholesterol (r=0.60; p0.01), triglycerides (r=-0.24; p0.001), LDL cholesterol (r=0.75; p=0.04), uric acid (r=0.75; p=0.03); total cholesterol and 6MWT (r=0.44; p=0.04). Analysis of metabolic disorders, FC and comorbidity revealed differences between FC III and IV groups in the level of HDL cholesterol (p=0.02) and triglycerides (p0.01). Conclusion. The POLET registry includes mainly older patients. Severe FC (87% – III and IV) may be a result of the older age and the presence of concomitant pathology in almost half of the patients. The discovered relationships between the area of RA and FC with lipid and purine metabolism were discovered for the first time, however, they correspond to the direction of the world scientific researches, are important due to the use of these indicators in the scale for calculating the risk of death in patients with PAH and require further development.

Background. Despite the existence of a clear cause-and-effect relationship between job strain and hypertension, there are still no clear criteria for defining stress-induced arterial hypertension (SIAH). Objective. Search for SIAH criteria, in particular predictors of hypertension in the workplace. Materials and methods. The study included volunteers experiencing stress in the workplace and not having hypertension. Before the start of the working day and at the end of the working day, the subject was surveyed, given questionnaires (Ch. D. Spielberg scale, Montgomery-Asberg MADRS scale, A. M. Vein scale, hospital anxiety and depression scale HADS), blood pressure and resting heart rate were measured, fasting blood was taken to determine the values of ACTH, TSH, T4, insulin, cortisol. All patients underwent ABPM on a working day and a day off. Results. According to ABPM (n=52), no signs of masked hypertension were detected, however, significant differences between workdays and weekends in the levels of maximum SBP and DBP during the daytime were noteworthy. In the group with maximum SBP>140 mm Hg during the daytime (SIAH, n = 34), on a workday there was an increase in the time index for SBP>30% (24 hours and day), characteristic of hypertension, and for DBP (24 hours and day), characteristic of borderline (possible) hypertension, the average DBP values during the day and at night were at the upper limit of the norm, which was significantly different from the Normotonic group (n = 19). On a weekday, the SIAH group also had significantly increased SBP (24 hours, day) and DBP (24 hours, day and night) indexes versus Normotonic. For all other indicators except ABPM, the groups were comparable. Conclusions. Taking into account the increase in the time index for SBP and DBP, it can be assumed that, against the background of stressful situations at the workplace, the subjects had short frequent increases in blood pressure, which have not yet led to a significant violation of self-regulation of blood pressure and the development of hypertension. An increase in the maximum values of systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure against the background of an increased time index on a working day are possible predictors of SIAH, in particular hypertension at the workplace.