title: Suggested Cut-Off Values for Vitamin D as a Risk Marker for Total and Cardiac Death in Patients with Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several studies have demonstrated an association between low vitamin D levels and cardiovascular risk. Vitamin D cut-off levels are still under debate.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess two cut-off levels, 40 and 70 nmol/L, respectively, for vitamin D measured as 25-hydroxyvitamin D in chest pain patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated 1853 patients from coastal-Norway and inland Northern-Argentina. A similar database was used for pooling of data. Two-year follow-up data including all-cause mortality, cardiac death, and sudden cardiac death in the total patient population were analyzed, applying univariate and multivariable analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred fifty-five patients with known vitamin D concentrations died. In the multivariable analysis, there was a decrease in total mortality above a cut-off level of 40 nmol/L and a decrease in cardiac death above a cut-off level of 70 nmol/L [HRs of 0.66 (95% CI, 0.50-0.88), p = 0.004 and 0.46 (95% CI, 0.22-0.94), p = 0.034, respectively].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vitamin D cut-off levels of 40 and 70 nmol/L were related to total mortality and cardiac death, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway; Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Patrycja A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Naesgaard
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway; Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Cardiology Research Institute, Catholic University of Salta, Salta, Argentina.
authors.forename: Ricardo A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: León de la Fuente
authors.affiliation: Department of Research, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Stein Tore
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Nilsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Stavanger University Hospital , Stavanger , Norway.
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pönitz
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Stavanger University Hospital , Stavanger , Norway.
authors.forename: Trygve
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brügger-Andersen
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Department of Internal Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Grundt
authors.affiliation: Sigma Statistical Services , Balmullo , UK.
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Staines
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway; Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Dennis W T
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Nilsen
keywords: acute coronary syndrome; cardiac death; cut-off levels; total mortality; vitamin D; vitamin D deficiency