Vitamin D deficiency among Polish patients with angiographically confirmed coronary heart disease.

Epidemiological data on serum vitamin D levels in the population of Polish patients with angiographically confirmed coronary artery disease are limited. AIM: The aim of the study was to prospectively assess the concentrations of vitamin D in a group of patients from the Cardiological Department in Bielanski Hospital in Warsaw referred for coronary angiography due to suspected coronary artery disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included a total of 1,043 qualified patients (374 women and 669 men, age: 66,9±11,0 years) who underwent coronary angiography between the years of 2013 and 2017. Plasma 25(OH)D concentrations were assessed by electrochemiluminescence. RESULTS: The median 25(OH)D concentration in the study group was 15.2 ng/ml (range: 4.0 - 55.0 ng/ml). Optimal 25(OH)D concentrations (ie., equal to or greater than 30 ng/ml) were found in 64 patients (6%). Severe deficiencies (less than 10 ng/ml) were found in 229 patients (22%). Moderate deficiencies (concentration equal to or greater than 10 ng/ml and less than 20 ng/ml) and mild deficiencies (concentration equal to or greater than 20 ng/ml and less than 30 ng/ml) were observed in 525 (50%) and 225 patients (22%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency was found in 94% of residents of central Poland with angiographically confirmed coronary artery disease. 22% of patients had a severe vitamin D deficiency. Due to the documented effects of vitamin D on the cardiovascular system and the fact that cardiovascular disease (including coronary artery disease) is still the most common cause of death in developed countries, prophylactic and therapeutic strategies should be considered to combat 25(OH)D deficiency in this group of Polish patients.

Vitamin D level is associated with severity of coronary artery atherosclerosis and incidence of acute coronary syndromes in non-diabetic cardiac patients.

INTRODUCTION: Ischaemic heart disease is the main cause of death in developed countries. There are many modifiable risk factors associated with coronary heart disease (CAD). A growing number of studies point to vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for heart attacks and the conditions associated with cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to analyse the relationship between the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and the severity of coronary artery atherosclerosis and to study 25(OH)D levels in non-diabetic patients hospitalised due to acute coronary syndrome and those diagnosed with stable CAD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: oronary angiography was performed prospectively in 410 successive cardiac patients. The severity of coronary artery atherosclerosis was assessed according to the Coronary Artery Surgery Study Score (CASSS). The plasma 25(OH)D level was assessed with the electrochemiluminescence method. RESULTS: The 25(OH)D level proved to be one of the significant determinants of the CASSS (p < 0.05). In subjects without significant lesions in the coronary arteries the 25(OH)D level was significantly higher compared to patients with one- to three-vessel coronary atherosclerosis (p < 0.05). A significantly higher 25(OH)D level was noted in patients diagnosed with stable CAD compared to patients hospitalised due to acute coronary syndrome (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with one- to three-vessel atherosclerosis have a significantly lower 25(OH)D level compared to patients without significant lesions in the coronary arteries. A lower 25(OH)D level was observed in patients hospitalised due to acute coronary syndrome compared to patients diagnosed with stable CAD.