Aim. We have carried out the direct comparison between MR images of atherosclerotic plaques of carotid arteries and morphologic density of microvasculature of the plaques, as seen from surgical specimen removed at carotid endarterectomy. Materials and Methods. Twenty two patients with internal carotid artery stenosis over 70% were included and all underwent contrast enhanced MRI and MR angiography of carotid arteries before carotid endarterectomy. In order to quantify the changes in T1 weighted images due to contrast uptake to the plaque, the index of enhancement (IE) was calculated in all patients as ratio of post and pre contrast intensities per voxel over the plaque. The index of vascularity was scored from the microscopy of the resected specimen based on the number of capillaries in plaque per field of view (f.o.v) (mag.x200). In particular: 0 – no capillaries detected; 1 degree – 1–3 /f.o.v; 2 – 4–6 /f.o.v; 3 – 7–9 /f.o.v; 4 – 10 or more. Results. Vascularity degree 0–1 was observed when IE was in ranges of 1.01–1.15; degree 2 corresponded to IE of 1.16–1.34; degree 3 corresponded to IE of 1.35–1.46; vascularity degree 4 corresponded to IE >1.46. In all cases, the inter group significance of differences was p 1.22. Conclusions. Enhanced uptake of paramagnetic contrast agent to the atherosclerotic plaque occurs when the capillary vascularity of the plaque is enhanced and when revealed (i.e. if index of enhancement is over 1.22) should be accepted as additional indication to carotid endarterectomy or to stenting of the stenosis. The quantitative processing of the contract enhanced MRI of the carotid plaques and arterial walls of the carotid arteries should be employed for noninvasive evaluation of the vascularity of atherosclerotic lesions.

The article describes patterns of paramagnetic contrast enhanced MR tomographic imaging of atherosclerotic lesions of aorta in patients with extensive atherosclerosis and previous acute myocardial infarction. The purpose. We have analyzed MR tomographic imaging features of atherosclerotic lesions of the aorta, with a paramagnetic contrast enhancement, in patients with extensive atherosclerosis and old acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Materials and methods. The patients population comprised 24 patients with multiple atherosclerosis and old transmural AMI of the left ventricle. As control group eight patients with tumor pathology of the thorax were employed, without evidence of clinically significant atherosclerosis, of the same age range. All patients underwent contrast-enhanced study (paramagnetic in standard dose of 0,1 mmol / kg BW) and index of enhancement (IE) of T1-weighted images was calculated as the ratio of intensities over the aortic wall on contrast and initial MRI studies. Results and discussion. In patients with extensive atherosclerosis and old AMI IE of the atherosclerotic lesions in the aortic wall in all cases was over 1,14 (mean 1,19±0,06), far more than increasing of intensity in the control group. Types of accumulation of contrast paramagnetic was assigned as a local or diffuse accumulation syndrome, depending on the length and circularity of the lesions. In the control group no significant accumulation of contrast paramagnetic material in the aortic wall was observed, IE did not exceed 1.04 (mean 1,01±0,02). Conclusion. Contrast-enhanced MRI allows to visually and quantitatively assess pathology of aortic wall in atherosclerosis.

Проведено сравнительное исследование изменений в структуре миокарда при экспериментально вызванном диабетическом и постинфарктном поражении сердца крысы. На светооптическом и электронно-микроскопическом уровнях показано, что при обеих патологиях наблюдаются однотипные структурные изменения миокарда: очаговый и диффузный стромы миокарда, миоцитолиз, миоцитолизис, глыбчатый распад кардиомиоцитов, деструктивные изменения в митохондриях (разрушение крист, просветление матрикса, неупорядоченное расположение), смещение, «расплетание», неправильная ориентация, разрывы и фрагментация миофибрилл. Наибольшая выраженность указанных изменений наблюдалась в группе животных с постинфарктным поражением сердца. Однако при сочетании патологий «инфаркт+диабет» структурные нарушения миокарда менее выражены относительно отдельных патологий. Обсуждается предположение, что меньшая распространенность и глубина структурных изменений миокарда при сочетанной патологии обусловлена меньшим проявлением метаболических расстройств вследствие перекрестной адаптации.

Article represents the review of the literature and results of own studies devoted to a problem of interrelation of functional morphology of adrenal glands and arterial hypertension. Cited the data on presence of specific and nonspecific features of morphofunctional reactions of adrenal glands at arterial hypertension.

The aim of the study was to assess the morphology of the left ventricle myocardium in the areas of regional contractility failure. Microscopic and morphometric study of 120 fragments of left ventricle myocardium was performed in 30 patients with post infarction left ventricle remodeling during operation of coronary artery bypass graft and ventriculoplasty according to Dor. Significant role of stromal fibrosis in the development of regions of hypokinesis, dyskinesis and akinesis was found. Myocytolysis and dystonia of small intramural arteries and veins play significant role in the development of akinesis apart from stromal fibrosis; meanwhile dyskinesis responds to myocardial dissarray and branching of muscle fibers. Relation between regional contractility failure and morphological changes of cardiomyocytes and stromalvascular component of the myocardium was found.

Adrenal morphology and function were studied in intensively treated patients with Q-wave acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Adequate analgetic and thrombolytic therapy, as well as beta-adrenoblocker treatment, prevented adrenal medulla depletion. Contralateral adrenal reaction was heterogeneous. The results obtained provide a better understanding of adaptive reactions and medication action mechanisms in intensively treated patients with Q-wave AMI.

Clinical-morphological estimation of coronary arteries bypass results have been conducted in 60 patients with IHD undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). 30 patients have diabetes 2 and 30 patients dont have infringements of the carbohydrate exchange. Morphological researches of myocardium left ventricle biopsy material showed more expressive and more frequent endothelial dysfunction, nucleus hyperchromia, and also decrease of quantity of functioning capillaries, and insulin receptors expression in diabetic patients after 6-12 months after CABG. A discovered morphological myocardial change is foretelling prognosis of atherosclerosis and artery bypass function in patients with IHD and diabetes 2 types.