Vitamin D replacement therapy in patients with cardiac syndrome X.

AIMS: The aim of present study was to assess whether vitamin D, with proven beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, has any effect on angina and exercise-induced ischemia in patients with cardiac syndrome X and low serum vitamin D. METHODS: Patients with cardiac syndrome X and low serum vitamin D3 were studied before and after treatment with an intramuscular injection of vitamin D3 (300,000 units, every other week for 2 months). We determined the angina episode (per day) and several indices of exercise capacity. RESULTS: At the end of the treatment course (75±6 day), a significant increase of serum vitamin D3 occurred and was within the normal range (45±8 ng/ml) and the frequency of angina improved significantly (p=0.003). Exercise duration and maximal work capacity increased significantly (p<0.001). Maximal ST-segment depression (mm) decreased significantly (p=0.001). The calculated Duck treadmill score improved significantly (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that vitamin D replacement therapy in patients with cardiac syndrome X and vitamin D deficiency dramatically improves symptoms and signs of ischemia.

Comparison of surgical outcomes and cosmetic results between standard and mini laparoscopic pyeloplasty in children younger than 1 year of age.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate safety, efficacy, and cosmetic results after mini laparoscopic (mL) pyeloplasty and standard (sL) pyeloplasty in children younger than 1 year of age with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From August 2009 to March 2011, 20 sL pyeloplasties were performed in pediatric patients younger than 1 year of age; afterwards, 20 patients younger than 1 year of age underwent mini laparoscopic (mL) pyeloplasty from June 2011 to August 2012. The patients were followed by urine culture and ultrasonography at 3 and 6 months after surgery. Cosmetic appearance was assessed in all patients in both groups group 3 months after surgery using the Patient Scar Assessment Questionnaire. RESULTS: Peri and postoperative results revealed that operative time (total and anastomosis of ureteropelvic junction), hospital stay, and overall complication rate were significantly lower in mL than in sL. Persistent hydronephrosis in follow-up imaging and recurrence of obstruction was not observed in any cases. Mean appearance score and consciousness score showed significantly better results in the mL group. CONCLUSION: We believe that mL pyeloplasty in infant cases with UPJO is more cosmetically pleasing and less invasive than sL pyeloplasty and has similar functional outcomes.