[Morphological aspects of diaphragm dysfunction in COVID-19-associated pneumonia].

Objective: To assess morphological changes in the diaphragm and phrenic nerve in patients who died from COVID-19.

Material And Methods: In a case-control study, an analysis was made of autopsy material of the diaphragm and phrenic nerve of those who died from COVID-19 infection complicated by SARS-CoV-2-associated pneumonia, confirmed in vivo by the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA (Group 1, =12), and those who died with a diagnosis of acute cerebrovascular accident of the ischemic type without parenchymal respiratory failure (Group 2, =3).

Results: The main histopathological features in the diaphragm of the 1st group were the edema of the pericellular spaces of muscle fibers, edema of perivascular spaces, diapedese hemorrhages, plethora in arteriolas, in most veins and capillaries, red blood clots were revealed; in the diaphragmatic nerve - swelling of the perineral space, severe edema around the nerve fibers inside the nerve trunk.

[First experience in using cardiocytoprotector mexicor in operations of myocardial revascularization under conditions of extracorporeal circulation].

We examined a total of forty-four patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease who were subjected to coronary artery bypass graft surgery under conditions of extracorporeal circula tion. In the examined group (15 patients) during anaesthesia and perfusion, we additionally administered the cardiocytoprotector mexicor at a total dose of 1,500 mg. It was revealed that administering mexicor in a complex of anaesthesiological-and-resuscitation support considerably increased the indices of myocardial contractility and oxygen-transporting function of blood in the postperfusion period, also decreasing both the amount and duration of inotropic stimulation, and favourably contributing to early recovery and restoration of spontaneous respiration in the immediate postoperative period.