Effects of six months of vitamin D supplementation in patients with heart failure: A randomized double-blind controlled trial
A. Dalbeni
Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2014 Mar 5. pii: S0939-4753(14)00086-6. doi: 10.1016/j.numecd.2014.02.015. [Epub ahead of print]

Summary:

In a small, parallel group, double-blind, randomized study involving 23 chronic heart failure patients (mean age: 74 years) with vitamin D levels of less than 30 ng/mL, supplementation with 800,000 IU/d (4000 IU/daily) vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) for a period of 6 months was found to significantly improve ejection fraction and vitamin D deficiency. Specifically, mean plasma 25(OH)D concentrations increased (15.51 vs. -1.40 ng/mL0 and plasma calcium concentrations increased as well (from 9.3 to 9.6 mmol/L). Furthermore, ejection fraction (EF) significantly increased in the vitamin D group (6.71 vs. -4.3%), while serum concentration of PIP increased in the placebo group only. After six months of treatment, systolic blood pressure was reduced as well (from 129.6 to 122.7 mm Hg). The authors conclude, “Six months of vitamin D supplementation significantly improves EF in elderly patients with HF and vitamin D deficiency.”

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM:
Low plasma vitamin D levels have been associated with heart failure (HF). This research attempts to explain the role of vitamin D supplementation on myocardial function in elderly patients with HF.

METHODS AND RESULTS:
Twenty-three chronic HF patients were randomized in a small parallel group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. All patients, with a mean age of 74 years and vitamin D levels

CONCLUSIONS:
Six months of vitamin D supplementation significantly improves EF in elderly patients with HF and vitamin D deficiency.
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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