Vitamin D and new-onset atrial fibrillation: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, which affects 1.5% to 2% of the general population. More than six million Europeans suffer from AF. To research vitamin D levels in the prevention of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF), we conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We focused on the vitamin D levels in the prevention of new-onset AF. The outcomes assessed were vitamin D levels, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and left atrium diameter. Six RCTs ultimately met the inclusion criteria in the meta-analysis. The outcomes of Vitamin D levels (MD = −4.27, 95% CI = −5.20 to−3.34, P = 0.30) in the new-onset AF showed no significant difference. The left atrium diameter (MD = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.48 to 2.60, P < 0.01) between new-onset AF and LVEF (MD = −0.92, 95% CI = −1.59 to −0.26, P < 0.01) showed significant difference. Our study shows that circulating vitamin D levels may not play a major role in the development of new-onset AF. Keywords: new-onset atrial fibrillation, vitamin D levels, left ventricular ejection fraction, left atrium diameter