Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 22, 2025
Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Is there any Link Between Vitamin D and Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation after Cardioversion?
Belma Yaman1, Levent Cerit1, Hatice Kemal Günsel1
1Near East Faculty of Medicine Department of Cardiology Nicosia Cyprus Department of Cardiology, Near East Faculty of Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Insights
Vitamin D deficiency is linked to higher atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after cardioversion (CV). Low vitamin D levels may predict AF recurrence, suggesting supplementation could help maintain sinus rhythm.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia in the elderly.
- Restoring sinus rhythm improves quality of life in symptomatic AF patients.
- AF recurrence after cardioversion (CV) is a significant clinical challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between vitamin D (VitD) levels and AF recurrence after CV.
- To determine if VitD deficiency is a predictor of AF recurrence.
Main Methods:
- A study included 51 patients undergoing CV for symptomatic AF.
- AF recurrence was monitored via ECG and Holter recordings for 6 months post-CV.
Main Results:
- Mean VitD level was 21.4 ng/ml.
- Lower VitD levels were observed in patients with AF recurrence (18 ng/ml) compared to those without (26.3 ng/ml; P=0.001).
- Larger left atrial diameter was associated with AF recurrence.
Conclusions:
- A strong association exists between VitD levels and AF recurrence post-CV.
- VitD deficiency may predict a higher risk of AF recurrence.
- VitD supplementation could aid in maintaining sinus rhythm after CV.
Introduction:
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common chronic arrhythmia in the elderly population. In symptomatic patients, restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm improve quality of life. Unfortunately, AF recurrence still occurs in a considerable number of patients after cardioversion (CV). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between vitamin D (VitD) and AF recurrence after electrical or medical CV.
Method:
A total of 51 patients who underwent CV for symptomatic AF were included in the study. AF recurrence was defined as an AF pattern in 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) recording after CV within 6 months or ECG Holter recording of AF lasting more than 30 seconds at 6-month follow-up.
Results:
Mean vitD level was 21.4 ng/ml in our study population. VitD level was lower in the AF recurrence group than in the non-recurrence group (18 ng/ml vs. 26.3 ng/ml, respectively; P=0.001). Additionally, left atrial diameter was larger in the AF recurrence group compared to the non-recurrence group (4.4 vs. 4.1, P=0.025). Patients with AF recurrence were older than patients without AF recurrence, and, although the prevalence of hypertension is higher in the AF recurrence group, there was no statistically significant difference (P=0.107, P=0.867).
Conclusion:
In our study, there is a strong association between vitD level and AF recurrence after CV. VitD deficiency might be a predictor of high risk of AF recurrence after CV and vitD supplementation during the follow-up might help the maintenance of sinus rhythm.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants
Warfarin, a prominent vitamin K antagonist family member, exerts its effect by inhibiting the enzyme VKORC1 (vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1). By hindering this enzyme, warfarin...
01:25ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias
01:21Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management
01:22Connective Tissue Cell Types
Fat cells (adipocytes), smooth muscle cells (myoblasts), and bone cells (osteoblasts) are some connective tissue cell types. Some immune system cells...
01:22Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures