Introduction/Objective: Tobacco smoking is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular and renal diseases. In recent years, alternative types of smoking, including vaping, have been becoming popular. The contribution of vape to vascular and renal injury is not known. We studied the relation between smoking of traditional/electronic cigarettes and arterial stiffness and albuminuria, which is also a vascular dysfunction marker. Methods: We examined 270 young volunteers without significant clinical cardiovascular diseases (mean age: 21.2 ± 2.3 years). Twenty-seven percent of the subjects in the study group were smokers; 69.9% of them smoked traditional cigarettes and 30.1% smoked electronic cigarettes. The urine albumin level was assessed by a dipstick test, and the augmentation index was determined by photoplethysmography. A linear correlation test and multiple regression analysis were applied. Results: The study groups did not differ in basic characteristics. The smokers demonstrated generally higher blood pressure levels and were overweight. Most of the smokers were male. In the groups of smokers, albuminuria was more frequent, especially among vapers (94 vs. 79% in tobacco smokers and 29% in nonsmokers). AU values (median [quartile 25; quartile 75]) were significantly higher in vapers (160 mg/L [150; 207.5]) vs. tobacco smokers (115 mg/L [60; 200]) and vs. nonsmokers (20 mg/L [10; 50]) (р < 0.05). Photoplethysmographic results showed relevant higher augmentation indices among tobacco smokers (–4, [–6.6; –1.9]) and vapers (–5.05 [–13.4; –3.3]) compared to nonsmokers (–16.2 [–23.9; –7]) (р < 0.05). Results of multiple regression analysis demonstrate that smoking of both traditional and electronic cigarettes is related to an increase in the albuminuria level and the augmentation index. Conclusions: Smoking of both traditional and electronic cigarettes is related to albuminuria and an increase in the augmentation index, which is a noninvasive marker for arterial stiffness.

Aim. To assess the association of hypertension with the severe forms and fatal outcomes of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Material and Methods. This retrospective cohort study involved adult patients (≥18 years old), admitted to the University hospital №4 of Sechenov University (Moscow, Russia) between 08 April 2020 and 19 November 2020 with clinically diagnosed or laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. The cohort included 1637 patients. The primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality. The secondary outcomes included intensive care unit admission (ICU) and invasive ventilation. Multiple logistic regression was performed to assess the independent association between risk factors and endpoints.Results. A total of 1637 patients were included in the study. 51.80% (n=848) of the subjects were males. The median age was 59.0 (48.0; 70.0) years and 55.90% (n=915) had pre-existing diagnosis of hypertension. Patients with hypertension had significantly more severe lung injury based on chest CT scan findings as well as lower oxygen saturation (SрO2). More of them were admitted to ICU and placed on invasive ventilation. The hypertension group also had higher mortality. Age, hypertension, glucose, C-reactive protein and decreased platelet count were independently associated with mortality, hypertension having the strongest association (OR 1.827, 95% CI 1.174-2.846, p=0.008). Age, hypertension, neutrophil count, platelet count, glucose, and CRP were independently associated with ICU admission, with hypertension having the strongest association (OR 1.595, 95% CI 1.178-2.158, p=0.002). Age, hypertension, glucose, CRP and decreased platelet count were independently associated with invasive ventilation, with hypertension having the strongest association (OR 1.703, 95% CI 1.151-2.519, p=0.008).Based on the multiple logistic regression models, odds of death, ICU admission, and invasive ventilation were higher in the hypertension group as compared to the group without hypertension.Conclusion. Hypertension can be an independent predictor of severe COVID-19 and adverse outcomes, namely death, ICU admission, and invasive ventilation in hospitalized patients.

Aim: to investigate the effect of nicotine-containing vapes in comparison with traditional tobacco smoking on markers of vascular wall damage: high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), albuminuria (AU), and ankle-brachial index (ABI).Material and Methods: We examined 369 young subjects without cardiovascular diseases (age median 21 [20;21] years) (159 men and 210 women). The hsCRP levels in the serum were assessed by immunochromatographic express method. AU was investigated in daily urine by a quantitative reflex photometry. ABI was determined by plethysmography.Results: All subjects were divided into groups: non-smokers (n=196, 53.1%), smokers of traditional cigarettes (n=83, 22.5%) and smokers of nicotine-containing vapes (n=90, 24.4%). The groups did not differ in main anthropometric data. Median hsCRP levels in smokers (14.30 [11; 16.5] mg/l in tobacco-smokers and 13.15 [9.65; 17.5] mg/l in vapers) were significantly higher vs nonsmokers (3.0 [2; 5.6] mg/l). In tobacco-smokers (33.0 [21.5; 60] mg) and vape smokers (45.0 [20; 115] mg), the median AU was statistically significantly higher than in non-smokers (12.0 [10; 20] mg). ABI levels were significantly lower in the groups of tobacco smokers (0.98 [0.91; 0.99]) and vapers (0.85 [0.79; 0.93]) when compared with nonsmokers (1.125 [1.01; 1.18]), and the median ABI in vapers was lower than in tobacco smokers (p<0.001). In the group of tobacco smokers, the hsCRP level correlated with the smoker's index (rs=0.31, p<0.05), and AU (rs=0.54, p<0.05) and ABI (rs=-0.28, p<0.05) with a daily inhaled nicotine dose. In the group of vapers, CRP was associated with smoking experience (rs=0.338, p<0.05), AU with a daily inhaled nicotine dose (rs=0.79, p<0.05), and ABI with BMI (rs=-0.33, p<0.05), heart rate (rs=-0.24, p<0.05) and smoking experience (rs=-0.235, p<0.05). According to the results of multivariate regression analysis the hsCRP level was related with only the smoking experience (B=0.91±0.19, p=0.000005), AU level with the daily inhaled nicotine dose (B=1.59±0.7, p=0.0121) and smoking experience (B=3.07±1.23, p=0.0179), and ABI level with only smoking experience (B=-0.09±0.004, p=0.0419).Conclusion: In smokers, both traditional and vapers, the levels of hsCRP, AU are significantly higher, and the ABI is lower than in healthy young nonsmokers. The most significant influence on the level of hsCRP is exerted by the experience of tobacco and vape smoking; to the AU level – the experience of tobacco and vaping and the daily inhaled nicotine dose, and by the value of the ABI – the experience of vaping.

Background: COVID-19 is characterized by an acute inflammatory response with the formation of endothelial dysfunction and may affect arterial stiffness. Studies of cardio-ankle vascular index in COVID-19 patients with considered cardiovascular risk factors have not been conducted. Objective: The purpose of our study was to assess the association between cardio-ankle vascular index and COVID-19 in hospitalized patients adjusted for known cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 174 people hospitalized with a diagnosis of moderate COVID-19 and 94 people without COVID-19. Significant differences in the cardio-ankle vascular index values measured by VaSera VS - 1500N between the two groups were analyzed using parametric (Student's t-criterion) and nonparametric (Mann-Whitney) criteria. Independent association between COVID-19 and an increased cardio-ankle vascular index ≥ 9.0 adjusted for known cardiovascular risk factors was assessed by multivariate logistic regression. Results: There were significantly higher values of the right cardio-ankle vascular index 8.10 [7.00;9.40] and the left cardio-ankle vascular index 8.10 [6.95;9.65] in patients undergoing inpatient treatment for COVID-19 than in the control group – 7.55 [6.60;8.60] and 7.60 [6.60;8.70], respectively. A multivariate logistic regression model adjusted for age, hypertension, plasma glucose level, glomerular filtration rate and diabetes mellitus showed a significant association between increased cardio-ankle vascular index and COVID-19 (OR 2.41 [CI 1.09;5.30]). Conclusion: Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 had significantly higher cardio-ankle vascular index values compared to the control group. An association between an increased cardio-ankle vascular index and COVID-19 was revealed, independent of age, hypertension, plasma glucose level, glomerular filtration rate and diabetes mellitus.

Aim. Assessment of the markers levels of endothelial dysfunction (ED): stable metabolites of nitric oxide (NOx), endothelin-1 (E1), homocysteine (HC), von Willebrand factor (vWF) and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in blood plasma of smoker and nonsmoker patients with arterial hypertension (AH) of low and moderate risk, not taking antihypertension therapy regularly.Material and methods. Totally, 124 AH patients included, 45 males and 79 females, mean age 51,4±6,5 y.o., mean AH duration 7,9±7,3 y. Controls included 35 healthy volunteers (20 males, 15 females). Concentration of NO_x in plasma was measured with spectrophotometry, and of vWF, HC, E1 and tPA — with immune enzyme assay.Results. To evaluate the relation of smoking and ED markers levels, AH patients and controls were selected to subgroups according to smoking status: smoker (35,5%) and non-smoker (64,5%) AH patients; smoker (38%) and non-smoker (62%) controls. In smoker AH patients comparing to non-smoking there were significantly higher concentrations of NO_x — 48,2±18,8 mcM/L and 40,3±21,2 mcM/L, respectively (р<0,05), E1 — 1,2±0,16 and 0,6±0,2 fM/L, resp. (р<0,05), HC — 25,7±6,04 and 16,2±6,5 mcM/L, resp. (р<0,05), vWF — 1,39±0,7 and 1,1±0,6 mg/dL, resp (р<0,05) and tPA — 13,05±6,2 and 8,5±6,2 mcM/L, resp. (р<0,05). There was correlation in the AH group, of NOx concentration and smoking (r=0,46, р<0,05), and tobacco smoking duration (r=0,83, р<0,05). Also, there were positive correlations of HC and smoking (r=0,4, p<0,05). In control group smokers had higher HC — 20,7±5,3 and 17,2±4,7 mcM/L, resp. (р<0,05), vWF — 1,3±0,8 and 0,8±0,6 mg/dL, resp. (р<0,05) and tPA — 11,1±6,5 and 6,6±5,2 mcM/L, resp. (р<0,05). There were no significant changes in NO_x and E1.Conclusion. In smokers of both AH and control groups the levels of HC, vWF and tPA were significantly higher in comparison with nonsmokers. In smoker AH patients the mean concentrations of NO_x and E1 are higher than in non-smoker patients. Levels of ED are related with not only the fact of smoking itself (р<0,05), but smoking duration (р<0,05).

Thromboangiitis obliterans is a chronic inflammatory disorder that mostly manifests in young patients. The primary vessel wall lesion leads to further necrosis without affecting elastic vessel membrane. Generally thromboangiitis involves peripheral arteries resulting in typical clinical presentation of limb ischemia. Veins are involved as well as arteries whereas no signs of atherosclerosis are found in these patients. Thromboangiitis may be acute as well as it may have relapsing-remitting course causing thromboses and limb ischemia that may result in limb loss. Patients’ survival is higher than corresponding survival rates in patients with atherosclerosis even despite unfavorable outcome of limb revascularization. It is explained by absence of coronary atherosclerosis in these patients. Taking into account the ongoing research on pathogenesis, treatment of such patients still remains a subject of discussion and is a promising area for further scientific developments. Key words: thromboangiitis obliterans, Buerger's thromboangiitis, immune inflammation, ischemia. For citation: Sapelkin S.V., Druzhinina N.A. Thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease). Consilium Medicum. 2018; 20 (8): 91–95. DOI: 10.26442/2075-1753.2018.8.91-95