Aim. To study the clinical and anamnestic characteristics, pharmacotherapy of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and long-term outcomes in post-COVID-19 patients with cardiovascular multimorbidity (CVMM), enrolled in the prospective hospital registry.
Material and methods. In patients with confirmed COVID-19 included in the TARGET-VIP registry, the CVMM criterion was the presence of two or more CVDs: arterial hypertension (AH), coronary heart disease (CHD), chronic heart failure (CHF), atrial fibrillation (AF). There were 163 patients in the CVMM group and 382 – in the group without CVD. The information was obtained initially from hospital history sheet, and afterwards – from a telephone survey of patients after 30-60 days, 6 and 12 months, from electronic databases. The follow-up period was 13.0±1.5 months.
Results. The age of post-COVID patients with CVMM was 73.7±9.6 years, without CVD – 49.4±12.4 years (p<0.001), the proportion of men was 53.9% and 58.4% (p=0.34). In the group with CVMM the majority of patients had AH (92.3-93.3%), CHD (90.4-91.4%), and minority – CHF (42.7-46.0%) and AF (42.9-43.4%). The combination of 3-4 CVDs prevailed (58.9-60.3%). The proportion of cases of chronic non-cardiac pathologies was higher in the CVMM group (80.9%) compared to the group without CVD (36.7%; p<0.001). The frequency of proper cardiovascular pharmacotherapy during the follow-up period decreased from 56.8% to 51.3% (p for trend = 0.18). The frequency of anticoagulant therapy in AF decreased significantly: from 89.1% at the discharge from the hospital to 56.4% after 30-60 days (p=0.001), 57.1% and 53.6% after 6 and 12 months of monitoring (p for a trend <0.001). There were no other significant changes in the frequency of other kinds of the proper cardiovascular pharmacotherapy (p>0.05). There were higher rate of all-cause mortality among patients with CMMM (12.9% vs 2.9%, p<0.001) as well as rates of hospitalization (34.7% and 9.9%, p<0.001) and non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) – 2.5% vs 0.5% (p=0.048). The proportion of new cases of CVD in the groups with CVMM and without CVD was 5.5% and 3.7% (p=0.33). The incidence of acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI)/influenza was higher in the group without CVD – 28.3% vs 19.0% (p=0.02). The proportion of cases of recurrent COVID-19 in groups with CVMM and without CVD was 3.7 % and 1.8% (p=0.19).
Conclusion. Post COVID-19 patients with CVMM were older and had the bigger number of chronic non-cardiac diseases than patients without CVD. The quality of cardiovascular pharmacotherapy in patients with CVMM was insufficient at the discharge from the hospital with following non-significant decrease during 12 months of follow-up. The frequency of anticoagulant therapy in AF decreased by 1.6 times after 30-60 days and by 1.7 times during the year of follow-up. The proportion of new cases of CVD was 5.5% and 3.7% with no significant differences between compared groups. The rate of all-cause mortality, hospitalizations and non-fatal MI was significantly higher in patients with CVMM, but the frequency of ARVI/influenza was significantly higher in patients without CVD. Recurrent COVID-19 was registered in 3.7% and 1.8% of cases, there were no significant differences between compared groups.

Aim. To research the effect of structured telephone support on the self-care in comorbid patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) over 12 months of follow-up.
Material and methods. Self-care was assessed using The Self-care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI, version 6.2) in 130 patients with CHF II-IV functional class according to NYHA, mean age 63.2±9.6 years old, left ventricular ejection fraction averaged 47.1±11.6%, men (70.8%) and patients with ischemic etiology of CHF (78.5%) prevailed. After fixed simple randomization by the envelope method, the patients were divided into groups of standard (control) and active outpatient follow-up (additional telephone contacts or correspondence using available messengers – structured telephone support). All patients received CHF therapy in accordance with the current Russian clinical guidelines. The indicators evaluated initially and after 12 months of follow-up.
Results. Over 12 months, total SCHFI scores increased significantly by 62% in the telephone support group and by 34.7% in the comparison group (p<0.001). A significant maximum improvement in the score was noted in section B of this scale (self-care management) in patients in the telephone support group (by 100%; p<0.001).There was an improvement in the clinical condition and an increase in exercise tolerance in both groups, somewhat more in the telephone support group (p>0.05).However, there were no statistically significant differences in the intake of the main groups of drugs and the achievement of their target dosages (p>0.05).
Conclusion. The study found a positive effect of structured telephone support on the self-care and the clinical condition of patients with CHF, although it did not reach the maximum possible acceptable values. Further studies are need to assess the self-care in patients with CHF.

Aim. To study a rate of excessive pararenal fat tissue (PRFT) thickness and its relationship with anthropometric obesity indices.
Material and methods. 372 patients (152 men and 220 women) were included in the study, the average age was 63.5±13.3 years. There were measured: height, weight, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), body mass index (BMI), WC/height ratio, sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD), body fat percentage (BFP), body surface area (BSA), body adiposity index (BAI) and visceral obesity index (VAI). All subjects underwent abdominal multispiral computed tomography. PRFT thickness was detected on a single slice at the level of the left renal vein.
Results. 27% of the examined group had BMI<25 kg/m2, 28% – excessive body mass, 45% – obesity. The median PRFT thickness was 1.61 (1.03; 2.46) cm. There were correlations between PRFT thickness and glucose (r=0,64, p<0,05) and uric acid (r=0,46, p<0,05) levels. The threshold of referential PRFT thickness was 1,91cm. The rate of pararenal obesity was 9,9% among those with normal body mass, 29,3% in excessive body mass, 66,1% – in 1 class obesity, 67,7% – in 2 class, and 90,1% – in 3 class. The correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between the PRFT thickness and obesity indices with exception of VAI and BAI: with BMI (r=0.43, p<0.05), WC (r=0.57, p<0.05), SAD (r=0.58, p<0.05), BFP (r=0.48, p<0.05), WC/height ratio (r=0.46, p<0.05), and BSA (r=0.58, p<0.05).
Conclusion. Excessive PRFT may be detected isolated without any external anthropometric signs of obesity, wherein it is an active component of metabolic disorders typical for obesity. The most significant indices for the detection of pararenal obesity may be WC, SAD, and BSA.

 Neuregulin-1β (NRG-1) is an emerging biomarker of heart failure (HF). The mechanisms of its action in HF patients are yet  to be investigated. Cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory  effects of NRG-1 have been reported.
Aim. To assess NRG-1 levels in HF patients and investigate the association between NRG-1 and biomarkers of inflammation and myocardial fibrosis.
Material and Methods. NRG-1, biomarkers of inflammation and fibrosis (hsCRP, IL-6, sVCAM-1, MMP-9, Galectin-3, ST2, TGF-β) were assessed in 47 patients with HF and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF); 39 patients with HF and reduced ejection  (HFrEF) and 40 healthy participants. The associations between  NRG-1 and biomarkers of inflammation and fibrosis, as well as  the composite outcomes of cardiovascular death and HF  hospitalisations were assessed.
Results. Median NRG-1 levels in HFpEF were 0.969 (0.348; 1.932) ng/ml, in HFrEF – 0.63 (0.348; 1.932), in healthy participants 0.379 (0.195; 0.861) ng/ml, and was significantly higher in HFpEF compared to healthy volunteers (р=0.004). There was no  difference in NRG-1 concentration between HFpEF and HFrEF. In  HF patients, all biomarkers of inflammation and fibrosis were  higher than in controls. ST2, IL-6 and TGF-β were significantly higher in HFrEF compared to HFpEF patients, while hsCRP,  sVCAM-1, MMP-9, and Galectin-3 levels were comparable. In  HFpEF, NRG-1 was associated with hsCRP (rs=0.378, p=0.023) and IL-6 (rs=0.378, p=0.014). Median follow-up time in patients with HFpEF and in patients was 312 (236; 388) days, in HFrEF – 147 (98; 237) days. In HFpEF, 2 patients died and 19 were  hospitalized due to HF. In HFrEF, 10 deaths and 19  hospitalizations were registered. Kaplan-Mayer analysis showed that HFpEF patients with increased NRG-1 and IL-6 had higher  levels of HF hospitalisation (log rank test, р=0.046 and р=0.012, respectively). In a multivariable cox proportional hazard model,  the association between the NRG-1 and outcomes remained significant after adjustment for age, gender and NTproBNP but diminished when hsCRP and IL-6 were included in the model.
Conclusion. NGR-1 level significantly higher in HFpEF compared to healthy participants, and comparable with NRG-1 concentrations in HFrEF. In HFpEF, NRG-1 was associated with biomarkers of inflammation and fibrosis. The prognostic value of NRG-1 in HF requires further investigations. 

Aim. To determine the frequency of detection and severity of breast arterial calcification (BAC) among women undergoing mammography on the basis of medical institutions in Moscow.
Material and methods. The analysis included 4274 digital mammograms of women aged 40-93 who underwent preventive or diagnostic mammography. Standard full-format digital mammograms were performed in craniocaudal and mediolateral oblique projections. In addition to the standard diagnosis of breast disease, all mammograms were evaluated for the presence of BAC. The severity of BAC was assessed on a 12-point scale: mild 3-4 points, moderate 5-6 points, severe 7-12 points.
Results. The average frequency of BAC was 10.1%, in the middle age group 50-59 years – 6.0%. The incidence of BAC increased with age, from 0.4% to 0.6% in women <50 years of age to >50% in women ≥80 years of age. A statistically significant and pronounced correlation was found between the woman's age and the presence of BAC r Pearson =0.769 (p<0.001). There was also a less noticeable but statistically significant correlation between age and severity of BAC r Spearman =0.319 (p<0.001). Regression analysis made it possible to estimate the probability of CAD depending on age. In women <50 years of age, only mild to moderate calcification occurred, while those ≥65 years of age had a significant increase in the incidence of severe CAD.
Conclusion. There was an expected increase with age in both prevalence and severity of BAC. Cases of severe BAC in women younger than 65 years of age and any BAC in women younger than 50 years of age are atypical and require clarification of their association with cardiovascular and other diseases.

Aim. To identify and evaluate the nature and incidence of drug-related problems (DRPs) and to manifest the role of a pharmacist in ensuring safe and efficient use of medications with cardiovascular disease patients by using PCNE Classification to assess and report drug-related problems.
Material and Methods. An Observational and Prospective study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital of medicine department of general and intensive/critical care units for a period of 6 months to identify and evaluate the nature and incidence of DRP’s and to manifest the role of a pharmacist in ensuring safe and efficient use of medications with cardiovascular disease patients by using PCNE Classification to assess and report drug-related problems.
Results. Of 94 Patient profiles were evaluated out of which 78 (82.9%) patient profiles were identified with 208 DRPs. Among 208, 140 (67.3%) drug interactions, 15 (7.2%) untreated indication, 12 (5.8%) adverse drug reactions, 10 (4.8%) drug use without indication, 8 (3.8%) drug underused, 8 (3.8%) duration of treatment too short, 5 (2.4%) dose unclear, 4 (1.9%) inappropriate drug form, 3 (1.4%) duration of treatment too long, 2 (1.0%) too many drugs prescribed for an indication, 1 (0.5%) drug overused. For 208 DRPs identified and provided with 74 interventions which includes 30 (41.6%) drug discontinuation, 24 (33.3%) addition of a new drug, 4 (5.55%) change of dosage form, and 14 (19.4%) decrease the dose.
Conclusion. The present study revealed that patients with cardiovascular diseases suffer from numerous DRPs that can be identified, resolved, or prevented to some extent by pharmacist intervention. Hence the study addresses the importance of clinical pharmacist in the management of DRPs among cardiovascular patients.

Aim. To evaluate thrombus characteristics in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) taking different direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) using Thrombodynamics test.
Materials and methods. Thrombodynamics test was performed in 100 patients with paroxysmal and permanent forms of AF taking different DOACs, dose choice was done in accordance with the instructions for drugs use. For analysis samples of fresh citrated platelet-free plasma were taken just before regular DOACs dose intake (trough concentration). Statistical data processing was carried out using R software packages.
Results. All patients had no history of thrombosis or bleeding before inclusion in this study. All parameters of Thrombodynamics test taken at residual concentration of DOACs were in general within reference values, that is in the area of normal coagulation: spatial clot growth rate (V) – 26.56 (25.0; 29.2) μm/min, the time to the start of clot growth (Tlag) – 1.05 (0.85; 1.27) min, initial spatial clot growth rate (Vi) – 44.3±7.7 μm/min, stationary spatial clot growth rate (Vst) – 26.5 (24.9; 28.4) μm/min, clot size (CS) – 999.7 (912.9; 1084.7) μm, clot density (D) – 22883.1±3199.9 arb. units. D was appeared to be higher in women [22947.7 (21477.5; 22947.7) vs men [22124.8 (19722.8; 22124.8), p=0.035] and Tlag was significantly higher in patients with chronic heart failure [1.2 (1.0; 1.2) vs 1.0 (0.8; 1.0), p=0.008]. A correlation was found between level of creatinine and Tlag parameter, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and clot density. With an increase in the level of creatinine in the blood and a decrease in GFR, respectively, there was an increase in Tlag parameter (p-value 0.038); with an increase in GFR, clot density decrease (p-value 0.005).

Conclusion. All parameters of Thrombodynamics test on residual concentration of DOACs were within reference values that indicated optimal anticoagulant effect of all DOACs. The obtained data of normal coagulation at the residual concentration of the anticoagulant are consistent with the previously obtained data on the safety and effectiveness of DOACs using other methods. Further studies with clinical end points are needed to assess the clinical value of this method.

Aim. To study the role of hepcidin as a regulator of iron metabolism and a mediator of inflammation in elderly and senile patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) with anemia of chronic diseases (ACD).
Material and methods. The levels of hemogram parameters, ferrokinetics (serum iron, ferritin, transferrin, erythropoietin, hepcidin), inflammation [C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6)], as well as correlations between hepcidin and these parameters were studied in patients with CHF with ACD (n=35), with CHF without anemia (n=35) and in elderly and senile patients without CHF and anemia (control group; n=20).
Results. Normal levels of hepcidin (9.17±0.97 ng/ml) and the only significant correlation of hepcidin with the ferrokinetic parameter – serum iron [r(S)=0.480, p<0.05] were found in the control group. Normal levels of hepcidin (12.01±1.19 ng/ml) and two significant correlations of hepcidin with the ferrokinetic parameter – ferritin [r(S)=0.525, p<0.05] and transferrin [r(S)=-0.343, p<0.05] were found in the CHF without anemia group. Significantly elevated levels of hepcidin (23.81±3.63 ng/ml) were found in the CHF with ACD group compared to the CHF without anemia group (p=0.008) and the control group (p=0.003). Also, five significant correlations of hepcidin with hemogram parameters – hemoglobin [r(S)=-0.461, p<0.05] and the average concentration of hemoglobin in the erythrocyte [r(S)=-0.437, p<0.05]; with ferrokinetic parameters – ferritin [r(S)=0.596,
p<0.05] and transferrin [r(S)=-0.474, p<0.05]; with inflammation parameters – CRP [r(S)=0.561, p<0.05] were found in the CHF with ACD group.
Conclusion. The increased level of hepcidin in CHF patients with ACD and the formation of links of hepcidin with indicators of inflammation reflect its role as a mediator of inflammation, and the formation of connections with indicators of hemogram and ferrokinetics – its role as a regulator of iron metabolism involved in the development of ACD in elderly and senile CHF patients.

Aim. To study the presence and nature of correlations between the level of Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and structural and functional parameters of the heart in the development of myocardial remodeling and fibrosis in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) of ischemic origin.
Material and methods. The study included 120 men with class II-IV CHF who have history of myocardial infarction, which are divided into 3 groups depending on the CHF class. The control group included 25 healthy men. Assessment of left ventricular (LV) structural-functional state was carried out by echocardiography. Investigation of IGF-1 and N-terminal precursor indices of cerebral natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP) was performed by enzyme immunoassay.
Results. Patients with class II CHF were hyperexpression of IGF-1, with class III CHF were registered low-normal level, with class IV CHF was established a deficiency of IGF-1. The most significant structural-geometric rearrangement of LV and significant deficit of IGF-1 recorded in patients with class IV CHF (95,6±7,02 ng/ml with class IV CHF versus 178,3±11,36 ng/ml and 124,3±9,14 ng/ml with class II and III CHF; р<0,05). In patients of class III-IV CHF, correlation relationships between IGF-1 level and echocardiographic parameters (LV myocardial mass index are established: r=-0,59, p=0,05; end systolic volume index: r=-0,55, p=0,05; value of LV ejection fraction: r=0,61, p=0,05). Significant negative correlation are established in patients with class III-IV CHF between IGF-1 level and NT-pro BNP levels (r=-0,51; р=0,05).
Conclusion. The intensity of myocardial remodeling and fibrosis processes in patients with a progressive course of CHF is related to deficit of IGF-1 and is associated with a high level of activity of natriuretic peptides.

Aim. To study the structure of antihypertensive drugs prescription in pregnant women in routine practice in Kursk and Chisinau.
Material and methods. The study design was observational descriptive cross-sectional. Authors conducted a survey of doctors in medical organizations in Kursk and Chisinau in 2017-2018.
Results. Respondents from Kursk and Chisinau preferred methyldopa in prescriptions of central alpha-adrenergic receptor agonists. Doctors from Chisinau used clonidine in 14.3% of cases. The leading place in the group of calcium channel blockers belonged to short-acting nifedipine. Among beta-blockers in Kursk, doctors most often prescribed bisoprolol (43.3%), metoprolol (21.7%) and nebivolol (13.3%), while in Chisinau the preference was given to metoprolol (32.1%), atenolol (19.6%) and bisoprolol (16.1%). From the group of diuretics, Kursk doctors mainly prescribed hydrochlorothiazide (10%), indapamide (6.7%); in Chisinau, indapamide was the leader (19.6%), hydrochlorothiazide was used less frequently (7,1%). From the class of alpha-blockers, prazosin occupied the leading position among respondents in Kursk, and terazosin in Chisinau.
Conclusion. The priority drug classes in both regions were calcium channel blockers, central alpha-adrenergic receptor agonists and beta-blockers. A small number of not recommended drugs prescriptions have been registered. In general, the prescribed treatment corresponded to the current guidelines and protocols for the management of patients with arterial hypertension during pregnancy.

Aim. To assess, based on the results of the questionnaire, patients' awareness of the presence, possible causes and health effects of overweight /obesity; to determine patients' self-assessment of their own weight, information about the methods used to treat the disease, adherence to therapy.
Material and methods. The survey of patients of the outpatient registry was carried out as part of a face-to-face visit of inclusion in the observational study of EVA using a specially designed questionnaire. Out of 582 patients of the PROFILE registry who came for a visit in the period from 08.04.2019 to 24.03.2020, 295 people with a body mass index (BMI) were included in the study>25 kg/m2.
Results. According to the BMI values, the patients of the study cohort were divided into 4 groups: 108 (36.6%) with pre-obesity, 124 (42.1%) with class I obesity, 42 (14.2%) with class II obesity, 21 (7.1%) with class III obesity. With an increase in the class of obesity, the number of patients who admit the presence of this pathology in self-assessment increases (p<0.0001): 26.6% of patients with grade I obesity, 47.6% with grade II obesity and 81% of patients with grade III obesity gave correct answers. Among the possible causes of overweight/obesity, every third patient of the study indicated physical inactivity (31.3%) and every fifth specified excessive nutrition (20.8%). The majority of patients, 244 (82.7%), believe that being overweight worsens their health, the same number of patients, 255 (86.4%), are sure that they need to lose weight. The most common (70% of responses) for weight loss patients used various dietary restrictions, fasting, only 17% of patients increased the level of physical activity. Frequent violation of the principles of rational nutrition was revealed (insufficient amount of fruits and vegetables in the diet, salting food, eating a large amount of easily digestible carbohydrates. One hundred and thirty nine (47.1%) patients noted that it was difficult for them to observe any restrictions in food, to adhere to a diethalf of all patients and 70% of patients with class III obesity experience a constant feeling of hunger. Of the 25 patients to whom pharmacotherapy was recommended, 21 (84%) people were adherent.
Conclusion. Overweight and obese patients are not always critical of self-assessment of their body weight, and the main reasons for being overweight or obese considered to be inactivity and various violations of the principles of rational nutrition. The patients of the study cohort were characterized by eating disorders and half of the patients showed signs of food addiction. Recommendations for the pharmacotherapy of obesity were received by less than 10% of patients in the study cohort, while the patients' adherence to drug therapy was high.

Background. Combination therapy with two antiplatelet agents (ticagrelor or clopidogrel plus acetylsalicylic acid) and a high dose statin is recommended in accordance with clinical guidelines for patients undergoing acute coronary syndrome and coronary intervention. Combined therapeutic regimens have drug-drug interaction potential. Rhabdomyolysis is a known side effect of statin therapy, and there is evidence that co-therapy with ticagrelor increases the risk of this complication.
Case description. A 72-year-old female patient was hospitalized with typical signs of rhabdomyolysis: muscle pain, oliguria, weakness, significant increases in creatine kinase (CK), myoglobin and creatinine. One month before that, she was urgently hospitalized with acute recurrent ST-elevation myocardial infarction and underwent endovascular intervention on a critical stenosis of the left anterior descending artery with stent implantation. After that, rosuvastatin 40 mg per day and ticagrelor 90mg 2 times a day were added to her therapy. During the current hospitalization, rosuvastatin, ACE inhibitors and spirolactone were canceled, infusion therapy was carried out, which led to a rapid regression of symptoms, restoration of adequate diuresis, and normalization of CK, myoglobin and creatinine levels.
Conclusions. The combined use of ticagrelor with rosuvastatin (especially at a high dose) increases the risk of rhabdomyolysis in elderly patients. Patients taking ticagrelor may require changes in statin therapy, dose adjustments, and possible drug changes to avoid pharmacological interactions and an increased risk of side effects.

Cardiovascular complications after non-cardiac surgery are the leading cause of 30-day mortality. The need for surgical interventions is approximately 5,000 procedures per 100,000 population, according to experts, the risks of non-cardiac surgical interventions are markedly higher in the elderly. It should be borne in mind that the aging of the population and the increased possibilities of medicine inevitably lead to an increase in surgical interventions in older people. Recent years have been characterized by the appearance of national and international guidelines with various algorithms for assessing and correcting cardiac risk, as well as publications on the validation of these algorithms. The purpose of this review was to provide new information about the assessment and correction of the risk of cardiac complications in non-cardiac operations. Despite the proposed new risk assessment scales, the RCRI scale remains the most commonly used, although for certain categories of patients (with oncopathology, in older age groups) the possibility of using specific questionnaires has been shown. In assessing the functional state, it is proposed to use not only a subjective assessment, but also the DASI questionnaire, 6-minute walking test and cardiopulmonary exercise test). At the next stage, it is proposed to evaluate biomarkers, primarily BNP or NT-proBNP, with a normal level – surgery, with an increased level – either an additional examination by a cardiologist or perioperative troponin screening. Currently, the prevailing opinion is that there is no need to examine patients to detect hidden lesions of the coronary arteries (non-invasive tests, coronary angiography), since this leads to excessive examination of patients, delaying the implementation of non-cardiac surgery. The extent to which this approach has an advantage over the previously used one remains to be studied.

The last decade has dramatically changed the strategy of anticoagulant therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation. Direct oral anticoagulants have replaced vitamin K antagonists: either direct thrombin blockers (dabigatran) or factor IIa blockers (apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban). According to the regulatory domestic and foreign documents, the use of direct oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation has priority in comparison with vitamin K antagonists, since they have a predictable anticoagulant effect, the possibility of taking fixed doses without the need for routine anticoagulant monitoring, rapid onset and termination of action, relatively low potential for food and drug interactions. Direct oral anticoagulants are used for the prevention of thromboembolic complications in patients with atrial fibrillation, for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis in patients who have undergone surgery on the knee or hip joints, for emergency treatment and secondary prevention of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Alertness to side effects tends to focus on the likelihood of bleeding, with the possibility of other side effects of direct oral anticoagulants receiving less attention or going unnoticed. These mainly include liver damage, kidney damage and a number of other rare adverse reactions. The finding of isolated thrombocytopenia in patients taking direct oral anticoagulants may be associated with a high risk of life-threatening bleeding. The article analyzes published data on the occurrence of thrombocytopenia associated with the intake of direct oral anticoagulants, and presents a clinical case of thrombocytopenia while taking apixaban.

Heart failure (HF) remains one of the major social and medical public health problems worldwide. Despite new advances in the treatment of patients with HF, the prognosis is still poor. According to the European Cardiology Society guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure (CHF) 2021, a new class of drugs related to hypoglycemic has been confirmed to be effective in influencing the survival of patients with heart failure with low ejection fraction (HFpEF), regardless of the presence of disorders of carbohydrate metabolism. We are talking about inhibitors of the sodium-glucose co-transporter type 2 (iSGLT-2) or gliflozins. The article presents the results of the latest large clinical trials on the effective use of SGLT-2 in patients with HF, not only with low, but also with intact ejection fraction (HFpEF), for which there is no evidence base at the present stage. The review article presents the results of experimental studies that explored the potential mechanisms of action of gliflozins with an emphasis on new ones that are of fundamental importance for patients with heart failure, and also describes controversial and little-studied issues. Currently, there is no therapy that improves outcomes in patients with acute heart failure. The article presents the results of small analyzes of the use of iSGLT-2 in this category of patients, which are the basis for the hypothesis of their potentially effective and safe use in the case of acute decompensation of CHF, however, the role of gliflozins in this category of patients requires further in-depth study.