Low Vitamin D Levels Predict Left Atrial Thrombus in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation

We determined the association between left atrial (LA) thrombus occurrence and a non-classic risk marker, plasma levels of vitamin D, in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients on continuous non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) therapy for ≥4 weeks. Low levels of plasma 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) are predictive of fatal stroke. Vitamin D has anticoagulant effects on the coagulation cascade, which are indirectly targeted by NOAC therapy. The impact of plasma levels of vitamin D on the rate of LA thrombus detected by transesophagea l echocardiography (TEE) in AF patients is unknown.
Source: Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases : NMCD - Category: Nutrition Authors: Source Type: research