Vitamin D Linked to Improved Cardiac Function in Heart Failure Patients
Daily supplementation with high doses of vitamin D does not improve walking distance but does benefit left ventricular structure and function in patients with chronic heart failure secondary to left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD), according to recent research.
Patients with LVSD frequently have low vitamin D levels. Using data from The VitamIN D treatIng patients with Chronic heArT failurE (VINDICATE) study, the researchers tested the safety and efficacy of high doses of vitamin D in these patients.
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The researchers randomly assigned 229 participants to either one year of vitamin D supplementation (4000 IU [100 μg] 25(OH)D3 daily) or to placebo. The primary endpoint of the study was 6-minute walk distance from baseline to 12 months.
After 1 year, vitamin D supplementation did not improve 6-minute walk distance, but was associated with significant improvement in left ventricular function on echocardiography, and reversal of left ventricular remodeling.
“One year of 100 μg daily 25-OH vitamin D3 supplementation does not improve 6-minute walk distance but has beneficial effects on [left ventricular] structure and function in patients on contemporary optimal medical therapy,” the researchers concluded. “Further studies are necessary to determine whether these translate to improvements in outcomes.”
—Michael Potts
Reference:
Witte KK, Byrom R, Gierula J, et al. Effects of vitamin D on cardiac function in patients with chronic HF: the VINDICATE study [published online April 2016]. J Am Coll Cardiol. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2016.03.508.