USE OF MELDONIUM IN THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE AND CONCOMITANT ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION

Abstract

Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains one of the leading causes of mortality and disability in Ukraine. Arterial hypertension (AH) is one of the most common diseases and a leading risk factor for coronary artery disease. The aim of the work is to evaluate the antianginal activity of meldonium in the complex therapy in patients with CAD with stable angina and concomitant AH. Materials and methods. The study included 82 patients with CAD, stable angina pectoris II–III functional class, including 52 patients with concomitant AH stage II. The patients were divided into 2 groups. Patients in group 1 were prescribed meldonium at a dose of 750 mg/d for 2 months in addition to basic therapy for the underlying disease. Patients in group 2 continued basic antianginal, disaggregant, hypolipidemic therapy. Results. The use of meldonium led to a decrease in the frequency of angina attacks and the need for nitroglycerin. From the 1st month of therapy and up to 2 months treatment decreased it consumption by 63 and 82.3 % respectively. Adding meldonium to basic therapy led to a likely reduction in shortness of breath, episodes of palpitations, tinnitus, and headache. In all patients, after the treatment, an increase in exercise tolerance was observed, which was more pronounced in the group where patients were receiving meldonium. In the group of patients receiving meldonium, normalisation of blood pressure was faster and more pronounced. Conclusions. Meldonium has antianginal activity, which is manifested by an increase in the physical tolerance of patients, a decrease in the frequency of angina attacks, the need for sublingual nitroglycerin intake and improvement in the well-being of patients. Additional use of meldonium promotes faster and better normalization of blood pressure. The use of meldonium in the complex therapy of patients with stable angina and concomitant AH allows to increase the effectiveness of traditional antianginal therapy and to improve the quality of life of such patients.