Objective. To determine the comparative effectiveness of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin in relation to individual biochemical and functional markers of vascular wall remodeling in patients with arterial hypertension of high cardiovascular risk. Materials and methods. The study included 140 patients with stage II of arterial hypertension (AH), II-III degree of severity with the duration of the disease from 5 to 12 years, who, against the background of antihypertensive therapy (enalapril 20-40 mg/day, indapamide retard 1.5 mg, metoprolol 100-150 mg/days) received atorvastatin 20 mg/day for 1 year, subsequently it was replaced by rosuvastatin 10, 20, 40 mg / day. The dose regimen was determined by achieving the target level of cholesterol (CS) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Results. Taking atorvastatin for 1 year was accompanied by a decrease in the value of the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) by 14.4%, the augmentation index (AI) - by 10.3%. The replacement of atorvastatin with rosuvastatin was accompanied by a further decrease in the R-CAVI value: by 10.8% (20 mg/day) and 14.4% (40 mg/day). The use of atorvastatin for 1 year was accompanied by a decrease in both C-reactive protein (CRP) (by 26.0%) and osteopontin (OP) (by 22.8%). A further decrease in the concentration of CRP by 18 months of rosuvastatin therapy is recorded when using mean and high doses (20-40 mg/day). Differences in the severity of changes in CRP level between the groups were significant (p<0.05). The level of OP in comparison with the beginning of rosuvastatin decreased by 32.9%. Differences in the degree of reduction of OP when taking rosuvastatin between the groups were significant (P<0.05). Conclusion. Rosuvastatin in various dosage regimens with long-term use in patients with arterial hypertension with a high vascular risk reduces the content of CRP and OP in blood, reduces the CAVI and the AI, and is more effective than 20 mg atorvastatin a day.

It is universally acknowledged that some hypotensive agents may have a negative impact on electrolyte metabolism. This study was aimed at investigating the baseline status of electrolyte metabolism in patients with types I and II diabetes and concomitant essential hypertension and at following up the changes in this parameter over the course of verapamil (finoptin) therapy. Fifty-six patients were followed up. Levels of potassium and sodium in the plasma and red cells, total and ionized calcium in the plasma were measured before therapy and after 0.5, 1.5, and 6 months of finoptin therapy. Higher levels of plasma potassium and red cell sodium were revealed in patients with type I diabetes in comparison with those with type II condition. In patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes potassium concentrations in red cells and ionized calcium in the plasma were higher. Finoptin therapy promoted a decrease of sodium concentration in the red cells in diabetics with both types I and II condition and a reduction of the level of ionized calcium in the plasma of patients with type II diabetes. Changes in the electrolyte metabolism were transitory and do not require special laboratory monitoring.

Objective. To evaluate the status of QT interval derivatives in patients with chronic IHD during different perioperative periods of planned open cholecystectomy under general anaesthesia and to determine the possibility of using meldonium for prevention of QT interval dysfunction. Materials and methods. Patients with the diagnosis of cholelithiasis with verified forms of chronic CHD (angina I and II AC) were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 was the control group with conventional perioperative therapy, and Group 2 was the main group with additional meldonium. The dynamics of the corrected QT interval (QTc) and the variance of the QT interval (DQT) were assessed. Analysis was performed by means of daily Holter ECG monitoring, in which 6 time periods were singled out: 1 - the day before the operation (18 hours); 2 - hours before the operation; 3 - induction into anesthesia; 4 - maintenance of anesthesia; 5 - withdrawal from anesthesia; 6 - the day 2 after the operation (18 hours). Results. The increase in QTc and DQT values during induction, maintenance and withdrawal from anesthesia was detected only in the control group. The inclusion of meldonium in perioperative therapy in patients with CHD was accompanied by the absence of QTc interval prolongation and an increase in DQT values in the periods of induction, exit and maintenance of anaesthesia. Conclusion. The perioperative period was accompanied by a prolongation of the QTc interval and an increase in DQT values in the group receiving conventional therapy. The inclusion of meldonium was accompanied by no increase in QTc and DQT during most follow-up periods.