Carotid stenosis is a multidisciplinary problem that requires the involvement of a specialists’ team, including cardiovascular surgeons, neurosurgeons, endovascular surgeons, cardiologists, neurologists, and internists. In this consensus statement, a group of experts considered the main stages of diagnosing carotid stenosis, as well as discussed, the necessary prevention methods and features of choosing the optimal treatment approach. The aim was to provide concise and structured information on the management of patients with carotid stenosis. This document was developed based on the updated clinical guidelines of the European Society for Vascular Surgery and the American Association for Vascular Surgery, taking into account the consensus opinion of Russian experts.

Genetics and environmental and lifestyle factors deeply affect cardiovascular diseases, with atherosclerosis as the etiopathological factor (ACVD) and their early recognition can significantly contribute to an efficient prevention and treatment of the disease. Due to the vast number of these factors, only the novel “omic” approaches are surmised. In addition to genomics, which extended the effective therapeutic potential for complex and rarer diseases, the use of “omics” presents a step-forward that can be harnessed for more accurate ACVD prediction and risk assessment in larger populations. The analysis of these data by artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) strategies makes is possible to decipher the large amount of data that derives from such techniques, in order to provide an unbiased assessment of pathophysiological correlations and to develop a better understanding of the molecular background of ACVD. The predictive models implementing data from these “omics”, are based on consolidated AI best practices for classical ML and deep learning paradigms that employ methods (e.g., Integrative Network Fusion method, using an AI/ML supervised strategy and cross-validation) to validate the reproducibility of the results. Here, we highlight the proposed integrated approach for the prediction and diagnosis of ACVD with the presentation of the key elements of a joint scientific project of the University of Milan and the Almazov National Medical Research Centre.

Aim. In 2021, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) were published, where a new SCORE2 CVD risk assessment model was introduced. In our work, we compared approaches to determine the indications for initiating lipid-lowering therapy in the Russian population aged 25-64 years according to the guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of lipid metabolism disorders of the Russian National Atherosclerosis Society (2020) and ESC guidelines for CVD prevention (2021).Material and methods. The ESSE-RF epidemiological study was conducted in 12 Russian regions. All participants signed informed consent and completed approved questionnaires. We performed anthropometric and blood pressure (BP) measurements, as well as fasting blood sampling. In total, 20665 people aged 25-64 years were examined. The analysis included data from 19546 respondents (women, 12325 (63,1%)).Results. Of the 19546 participants, 3828 (19,6%) were classified as high or very high CV risk based on the 9 criteria: BP ≥180/110 mm Hg, total cholesterol >8,0 mmol/l, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) >4,9 mmol/l, lipid-lowering therapy, chronic kidney disease (CKD) with glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min/1,73 m², type 2 diabetes, previous stroke and/or myocardial infarction. Of 3828 people, lipidlowering therapy was indicated in 3758 (98%) (criteria for LDL ≥1,8 mmol/l and LDL ≥1,4 mmol/l, respectively, high and very high risk). In addition, 5519 individuals aged 40 years without established CVD, diabetes, CKD, cardiovascular risk stratification was performed according to the SCORE and SCORE2. Of them, according to the Russian National Atherosclerosis Society (2020) and ESC 2021 guidelines, lipid-lowering therapy was indicated for 701 and 9487 participants, respectively.Conclusion. Using the new approach proposed by the ESC in 2021, the number of patients aged 40-64 years without CVD, diabetes and CKD with indications for lipidlowering therapy for primary prevention in Russia increases by 14 times compared with the 2020 Russian National Atherosclerosis Society guidelines.

The International Society of Hypertension and the World Hypertension League initiated a blood pressure screening study called May Measurement Month 2019 (MMM19) to improve the detection of elevated blood pressure (BP) and to assess BP control in patients with hypertension (HTN).Aim. To assess adherence to treatment of the hypertensive population according to MMM19 campaign in Russia.Material and methods. During May 2019, 5394 people from 21 regions of Russia took part in the screening. Participation was voluntary and did not imply gender restrictions; all subjects were over 18 years of age. During the screening, BP was measured three times using electronic and mechanical sphygmomanometers, as well as a questionnaire on the diabetes, history of cardiovascular events, smoking, and alcohol consumption was filled. Information was also collected on the date of last BP check and the administration of statins, acetylsalicylic acid and antihypertensive drugs. Data on height and body weight was obtained from respondents.Results. The analysis included data from 5274 participants aged 18 to 96 years (men — 1834 (34,8%)). Median age was 25 years, quartiles — 20 and 49 years. According to MMM19 data, the proportion of HTN patients in the Russian population was 31,9%, and with the exception of participants under 25 years old — 51,5%. Patients with HTN over 25 years old take antihypertensive therapy in 73,6%; 38,6% are characterized by irregular drug intake. Only 11,8% of men and 17,2% of women reach the target blood pressure <130/80 mm Hg. Only 20-30% of patients who used 4-5 antihypertensives reached the target BP level.Conclusion. According to MMM19 in Russia, only a third of high-risk patients measured BP over the past 12 months. There is also low adherence to antihypertensive therapy and inadequate control of HTN. Patients with HTN and a history of cardiovascular events are more likely to take antihypertensives regularly.

In opinion the Expert council provides management tactics for patients with hypertriglyceridemia (HTG). It is demonstrated that HTG is a common condition in overweight patients and is an important component of residual risk. HTG creates additional conditions for the progression of atherosclerosis, so the level of triglycerides (TG) is recommended to be measured in patients with a high, very high and extremely high risk level. An indication for the appointment of drugs that reduce the concentration of TG is its level of more than 2,3 mmol/L. Statins are the agents of choice to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in high-risk patients with hypercholesterolemia and HTG. Fenofibrate is used to correct HTG, and in case of intolerance to it or when the target level of TG is not reached, omega-3 ethers of polyunsaturated fatty acids in a dose of 2-4 g/day are recommended. In patients with HTG with a TG level >5,6 mmol/L, fenofibrate is the agent of choice.