Low 25-OH vitamin D levels are not associated with coronary artery calcium or obstructive stenoses

Abstract

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether low vitamin D is a significant risk factor for the presence of either calcific atherosclerosis or obstructive coronary artery stenoses. DESIGN: In this study, we measured the 25-OH vitamin D levels of 1131 consecutive individuals who underwent coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring and coronary computed tomographic angiography at our institution. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: We looked for any association of 25-OH vitamin D levels with CAC scores. We also studied the relation of 25-OH vitamin D levels with the presence of 70% or more obstructive coronary artery stenoses, found initially by coronary computed tomographic angiography and confirmed subsequently by invasive angiography. RESULTS: There were 132 (11.7%) 25-OH vitamin D deficient (<20 ng/ml) and 295 (26.1%) 25-OH vitamin D insufficient (21-29 ng/ml) individuals in this study. There was no detectable association between 25-OH vitamin D levels and CAC scores. The median (interquartile range) CAC score of 25-OH vitamin D deficient, insufficient, and adequate patients was 451 (80-1083), 338 (52-830), and 450 (100-1062), respectively. Also, no relation was noted between 25-OH vitamin D levels and the presence of severely obstructive coronary artery disease. The frequency of severe coronary artery disease in 25-OH vitamin D deficient, insufficient, and adequate patients was 3.8, 2.0, and 4.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Low 25-OH vitamin D levels were not associated with CAC or severely obstructive stenoses.