[PROGNOSTIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ENDOTHELIN-I LEVEL IN PATIENTS WITH ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION DIFFERING IN VITAMIN D LEVEL].

The aim of the study was to measure blood vitamin D (25(OH)D) and endothelin-1 levels by enzyme immunoassay and estimate their relation to results of 24-hr arterial pressure monitoring (APM) in patients with arterial hypertension differing in vitamin D level. The study included 144 patients with grade II AH (114 women of mean aged 50.8 ± 6 yr and 30 men of mean age 46 ± 6 yr).

Practical guidelines for the supplementation of vitamin D and the treatment of deficits in Central Europe - recommended vitamin D intakes in the general population and groups at risk of vitamin D deficiency.

Introduction: Adequate Vitamin D intake and its concentration in serum are important for bone health and calcium-phosphate metabolism as well as for optimal function of many organs and tissues. Documented trends in lifestyle, nutritional habits and physical activity appear to be associated with moderate or severe Vitamin D deficits resulting in health problems. Most epidemiological studies suggest that Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent among Central European populations.

Surgical treatment of isolated cardiac echinococciasis: report of five cases.

Objective: Cardiac echinococcosis is a rare pathology and in about half of cases it is not accompanied by other organs involvement. We report on our experience of surgical treatment of isolated cardiac echinococcosis (ICE).

Methods: Among 5 patients with ICE operated in our clinic 1 had pericardial and epicardial involvement, 1 patient had the single cyst in the apicolateral wall of the left ventricle and 3 patients had singular cysts of interventricular septum.

Multiple hydatid cysts of epicardium and pericardium.

We report a case of multiple hydatid cysts of epicardium and pericardium with rupture and dissemination. The diagnosis was established by hemagglutinin test, echocardiography and computed tomography and confirmed by histological examination. Entirely, 12 cysts of epi- and pericardium and 1700 ml of pericardial fluid were removed during operation on the beating heart.