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. 2014 Mar;19(2):166-73.
doi: 10.1111/anec.12105. Epub 2013 Nov 8.

Relation of low vitamin D to nonvalvular persistent atrial fibrillation in Chinese patients

Wei Ren Chen  1 , Zhi Ying Liu, Yang Shi, Da Wei Yin, Hao Wang, Yuan Sha, Yun Dai Chen
Affiliations

Relation of low vitamin D to nonvalvular persistent atrial fibrillation in Chinese patients

Wei Ren Chen et al. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol. 2014 Mar.

Abstract

Background: Low vitamin D status has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. We evaluated the association between low vitamin D and AF.

Methods: We analyzed data from 162 Chinese patients with nonvalvular persistent AF and no other cardiovascular disease whose serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were measured in our hospital (AF group). Healthy subjects without AF who underwent health screening at our hospital served as controls (non-AF group, n = 160). 25(OH)D was measured by chemiluminescence assay.

Results: The serum 25(OH)D level was significantly lower in the AF group than in the non-AF group (18.5 ± 10.3 vs 21.4 ± 10.7 ng/mL, P < 0.05). The high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) level was significantly higher in the AF group than in the non-AF group (0.35 ± 0.19 vs 0.2 ± 0.17 mg/dL, P < 0.01). The average left atrial diameter was significantly larger in the AF group than in the non-AF group (P < 0.01). The serum 25(OH)D level showed a negative correlation with left atrial diameter, hsCRP level, and pulmonary artery systolic pressure. Logistic regression analysis identified that 25(OH)D was related to AF. Patients whose vitamin D levels were in the lowest 25(OH)D category (<20 ng/mL) were more often in the AF group, with their incidence about twofold higher than those in the highest 25(OH)D category (>30 ng/mL).

Conclusions: Low vitamin D levels are associated with AF. It may be involved in its development.

Keywords: atrial fibrillation; echocardiography; high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP); vitamin D.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Patient flow chart. AF = atrial fibrillation.
Figure 2
Figure 2
High‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) levels associated with serum 25(OH)D levels in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Left atrium diameter associated with serum 25(OH)D levels in patients with atrial fibrillation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Vitamin D Levels in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.
    Balta S, Ozturk C, Demirkol S, Demir M, Yildirim AO, Celik T. Balta S, et al. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol. 2016 Nov;21(6):622-623. doi: 10.1111/anec.12306. Epub 2016 Jun 20. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol. 2016. PMID: 27324922 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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