Vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for sudden cardiac arrest: A multicenter case-control study

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• Public Health

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease is a known risk factor for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
• The specific role of vitamin D in SCA risk remains unclear.
• Investigating vitamin D's association with SCA is crucial for understanding cardiac arrest etiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and the occurrence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).
• To compare vitamin D levels in OHCA patients versus healthy controls.
• To determine if vitamin D deficiency is an independent risk factor for SCA.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study using the CAPTURES II registry (2017-2020).
• 1:1 propensity score matching of 454 OHCA cases with 454 healthy controls.
• Analysis of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors, lifestyle, calcium, and eGFR.

Main Results:

• Mean vitamin D levels were significantly lower in SCA cases (14.5 ng/mL) than controls (21.3 ng/mL).
• Vitamin D deficiency showed a dose-response relationship with increased SCA risk (aORs ranging from 2.24 to 10.87).
• The adjusted odds ratio for vitamin D was 0.89, indicating a protective effect of sufficient levels.

Conclusions:

• Vitamin D deficiency is independently associated with a significantly higher risk of SCA.
• This association persists regardless of cardiovascular health, lifestyle, or kidney function.
• Maintaining adequate vitamin D levels may be important for reducing SCA risk.