Vitamin D status and the risk of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events in cardiac surgery

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• Public Health

Background:

• Post-operative complications are frequent in cardiac surgery patients.
• Vitamin D deficiency is a widespread issue with potential health implications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between pre-operative 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 4418 cardiac surgery patients had their pre-operative 25(OH)D levels measured.
• Statistical analyses, including multivariable-adjusted logistic regression, were used to assess the association between 25(OH)D levels and MACCE.
• Patient outcomes such as MACCE, mechanical ventilation duration, ICU stay, and mortality were analyzed.

Main Results:

• A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (38.0%) and insufficiency (32.3%) was observed.
• Deficient, insufficient, and very high 25(OH)D levels were independently associated with an increased risk of MACCE.
• Higher 6- and 12-month mortality rates were noted in patients with deficient 25(OH)D levels.

Conclusions:

• Pre-operative vitamin D deficiency is common in cardiac surgical patients and is linked to a higher risk of MACCE.
• Further investigation is needed to explore vitamin D supplementation's role in mitigating cardiovascular risk and understand the effects of very high vitamin D levels.