In this article we present discussion of the current state of the problem of surgical treatment of ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM). The pathophysiological aspects of left ventricular remodeling in patients with ICM are also covered. A detailed characterization of methods for assessing the myocardial viability is given and their role in patients with ICM is shown. The problem of right ventricular dysfunction in ICM is discussed. Main attention is focused on the methods of surgical treatment of ICM. Limitations of the Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure (STICH) study are analyzed. The article is intended for cardiologists, general practitioners and cardiac surgeons.

The changes of epicardial adipose tissue’s (EAT) morphofunctional characteristics represent an important factor of cardiometabolic impairments development. However, factor data determining the severity of EAT adipocytes’ hypertrophy in patients with coronary atherosclerosis are absent in literature.Aim: To compare the size of the EAT adipocyte and the percentage of hypertrophied adipocytes with the parameters of glucose/insulin metabolism, blood lipid transport function, adipokines’ profile and serum levels of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in patients with chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG); to establish statistically significant determinants of a pronou ced degree of EAT adipocytes’ hypertrophy.Material and Methods. The study included 42 patients (m/f 28/14) aged 53–72 y.o. with CAD, who underwent CABG. The material for the study was EAT adipocytes obtained by the enzymatic method from intraoperative explants. The basal blood levels of glycemia, insulinemia, C-peptide, blood lipid transport function, adipokines and hsCRP were determined. The median indicators of the size of EAT adipocytes and the proportion of EAT adipocytes over 100 μm were 87.32 μm and 14.64%, respectively. The total sample of patients was divided into two groups: gr. 1 with an average size of EAT adipocytes less than or equal to 87.32 μm and gr. 2 with an average size of EAT adipocytes more than 87.32 μm. Gr. 2 had higher body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, triglycerides, hsCRP, and lower adiponectin levels, while the median proportion of hypertrophied adipocytes was three times higher than in group 1. A model of multiple logistic regression was constructed, according to which statistically significant determinants of the pronounced EAT adipocytes’ hypertrophy are represented by the decreased level of adiponectin, and increased concentrations of hsCRP and C-peptide, which reflects the biosynthesis and secretion of insulin. The predictive accuracy of the model was 82%, sensitivity 85%, specificity 79%, AUC = 0.89.Conclusion. Our results indicate a close correlation between the development of EAT adipocytes hypertrophy, impaired production of adiponectin, insulin, and inflammation processes. Concentrations of adiponectin, hsCRP, and basal C-peptide in the blood are biomarkers that accurately determine the presence of EAT adipocyte hypertrophy.

Современные клинико-фундаментальные аспекты в диагностике и лечении пациентов с ишемической кардиомиопатией (обзор)

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the primary risk factor for heart failure (HF) development. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery remains the gold-standard treatment for multivessel coronary artery disease. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of cardiovascular events in patients after CABG by looking at clinical parameters, examining biomarkers of inflammation and fibrosis, and assessing patients’ adherence to heart failure therapy before CABG. The prospective observational study included consecutively hospitalized patients with HF and CAD eligible for CABG (n = 82). The study’s primary endpoint was a combination (MACE) of cardiac death, hospitalization with HF, acute ischemic events requiring unplanned revascularization, or stroke. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to assess serum levels of NGAL, GDF-15, NTproBNP, TGF beta, and hsCRP. The participants’ medication adherence level was assessed using the Morisky–Green scale. A total of 37 events were registered (45.1%) at follow-up (36 (26; 43) months). All patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 (n = 45) comprised patients without the combined endpoint, and Group 2 (n = 37) comprised patient who suffered adverse cardiovascular events. A high GDF-15 level and low adherence based on the Morisky–Green scale were independent predictors of a MACE at follow-up. The median time before the development of the MACE which was predicted based on Kaplan–Meier analysis in the group with a GDF-15 value less than 2064 pg/mL was 64 (50; 80) months, and in the group with a GDF-15 value more than or equal to 2064 pg/mL, it was 40 (34; 46) months (p < 0.001). Higher GDF-15 values and poor adherence to treatment are associated with adverse cardiovascular events in patients with HF and CAD who have undergone CABG. However, further studies are needed to support the use of GDF-15 as a prognostic marker in real-life clinical practice.

Background/Objectives: Biological aging phenotypes in coronary artery disease (CAD) include coronary atherosclerosis, vascular aging, and endothelial dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential links between aging phenotypes, regulatory immune cells, and features of the thymus in patients with CAD. Methods: A single-center, cross-sectional, comparative study was conducted. Patients were stratified according to the severity of coronary atherosclerosis: patients with a Gensini score ≥ 65 points and patients with a Gensini score < 65 points. Peripheral blood and thymus biopsy were obtained. Imaging flow cytometry, ELISA, and immunohistochemical analysis were used for analysis. Results: Thymic morphology ranged from total fatty involution to a preserved structure of the thymus (20–80% area in 31% of obtained samples) but was not associated with the severity of atherosclerosis. Meanwhile, patients with a Gensini score ≥ 65 had impaired thymus cellular composition compared to patients with a Gensini score < 65 points; increased frequency of CD8+ T lymphocytes and NK cells; and decreased frequency of CD4 + CD8+ T lymphocytes. In peripheral blood, the main determinants of a Gensini score ≥ 65 points were low absolute counts of eMDSCs and CD25^low Tregs with FoxP3 nuclear translocation, while advanced vascular aging was associated with elevated eMDSC absolute counts. Advanced coronary atherosclerosis was also associated with decreased numbers of endothelial progenitor cells in circulation. Conclusions: Thymus dysfunction accompanies CAD progression and is manifested in changes in cellular composition rather than morphology. In CAD patients, MDSC and Treg lymphocytes are equally involved in the progression of coronary atherosclerosis, which is aggravated by the decreased regulatory potential of the endothelium. Vascular aging represents a distinct phenotype of biological aging in CAD patients, characterized by the expansion of eMDSCs.