[Salt consumption and arterial hypertension: are there reasons to change point of view?].

The review presents modern data on interrelationships between sodium consumption, blood pressure level, and risk of cardiovascular complications. Phenomenon of salt sensitivity and methods of its detection are described. Results of epidemiological and interventional studies are used as a basis for formulation of populational strategy of limitation of sodium consumption.

[Statins in primary prophylaxis of cardiovascular diseases].

The review summarises data on statins efficacy in primary prophylaxis of cardiovascular complications. Main results of the JUPITER (Justification for the Use of statins in Prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin) trial are analysed in detail. Its role in possible changes in current recommendations on prophylaxis and treatment of atherosclerosis is shown.

[Cistatin C as a novel marker of renal function impairement and cardiovascular risk].

Impairment of renal function beginning from subclinical stages is independent risk factor of development of cardiovascular diseases and cardiovascular death. Cystatin C is considered in recent years as an alternative marker of functional state of the kidney and risk of development of cardiovascular diseases. Cystatin C is a protease inhibiting protein with low molecular mass which is characterized by free glomerular filtration and is not subjected to tubular secretion.

[Independent diagnostic value of microalbuminuria and calculated glomerular filtration rate in patients with arterial hypertension for detection of subclinical renal involvement].

In 734 patients with arterial hypertension without established diseases of cardiovascular system (including 158 patients with diabetes mellitus) we compared various methods of assessment of functional state of the kidney (microalbuminuria, creatinine, calculation of creatinine clearance and glomerular filtration rate) for detection of subclinical renal involvement and assessment of cardiovascular risk. We showed that determination of microalbuminuria and calculation of glomerular filtration rate (MDRD equation) had independent and mutual complementary diagnostic value, and allowed to identify patients with pathogenetically different renal lesions, reflected proteinuric and nonpoteinuric mechanisms of progression of nephropathy in arterial hypertension with and without diabetes mellitus.

[The role of adiponectin in development and progression of cardiovascular diseases].

Arterial hypertension, insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus are associated with obesity. However exact mechanisms of this association have not been determined yet. Biologically active substances produced by adipose tissue participate in pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases and complications.

[Disproportionately high left ventricular myocardial mass in patients with arterial hypertension].

Background: Increase of myocardial mass of left ventricle (MMLV) to a greater extent than required by hemodynamic load by elevated arterial pressure (AP) is reflected in concepts of " disproportionately " high (DH) MMLV and resistant to antihypertensive treatment LV hypertrophy (LVH).

Aim: To study in patients with arterial hypertension (AH) frequency of DH MMLV and factors associated with it.

Material And Methods: Patients (n=170, 70 men, age 57.

[Antihypertensive treatment compliance and obstacles to its improvement. Results of Russian program ARGUS-2].

Aim: To study barriers made by the patients for adequate treatment of arterial hypertension.

Material And Methods: The ARGUS-2 trial was made in 15 centers of 13 cities of Russia. Anonymous questionnaire survey covered 1298 patients (796 outpatients and 502 inpatients).

[Significance of various methods of assessment of functional state for cardiovascular risk stratification].

Arterial hypertension (AH) combined with diabetes mellitus accelerates development of damage of the kidney. Elevation of serum creatinine level, lowering of creatinine clearance or calculated glomerular filtration rate (GFR), microalbuminuria are independent prognostic factors of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Unfavorable outcomes of impaired renal function can be prevented or delayed with the help of appropriate interventions at early stages.

[Is patient education a factor elevating efficacy of arterial hypertension control?].

Unsatisfactory control of arterial hypertension is to a great extent determined by low compliance of patients to treatment, which can be caused by insufficient information about the disease and lack of proper motivation. Special methods were elaborated for elevation of level of awareness of patients - from one-time physician's advice and delivery of printed material up to a group training in a framework of programs with scheduled duration, volume, and succession of presentation. In this paper we present a review of publications devoted to the problem of patient\'s education, analysis of their efficacy in relation of improvement of control of disease, feasibility of application in various categories of patients with arterial hypertension.

[Problems of a physician-patient interaction and control of arterial hypertension in Russia. Main results of scientific-practical program ARGUS-2].

Objective: To study the problems of physician-patient cooperation, patient- and physician related barrieres to target blood pressure (BP) achievement and to demonstrate improvement of BP control with indapamide SR 1.5 mg, when given to patients remaining uncontrolled while receiving antihypertensive therapy without thiazide diuretics (TD).

Methods: The trial Improvement of Arterial Hypertension Control in High-Risk Hypertensive Patients (ARGUS-2) run in 15 Russian centres during the year 2006.

[Non-hemodynamic effects of calcium channel blocker nifedipine: effects on functional activity of blood cells and endothelium].

Aim: To compare efficacy of long-acting nifedipin (cordipin-XL) and beta-blocker atenolol (tenormin) in hypertensive patients; to assess efficacy of antihypertensive treatment on functional activity of blood and endothelial cells, remodeling of the myocardium and vessels.

Material And Methods: A total of 35 patients with essential hypertension stage II entered the trial. Eighteen of them received cordipin-XL, 17--tenormin.

[Rheological properties of blood and endothelial function in patients with hypertensive disease].

Patients with hypertension are characterized by elevated platelet and erythrocytes aggregation and presence of relationship between rigidity of red blood cells and myocardial mass index. They also have increased number of leukocytes in peripheral blood, enhanced adhesive ability of neutrophils, increased representation of integrin receptors on lymphocytes and monocytes, and expression of Fas-receptors. These features evidence for augmented functional activity of leukocytes in hypertensive disease.