Two Years of Menaquinone-7 Supplementation and Coronary Artery Calcification: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Vossen LM, de Leeuw PW, Schurgers LJ, Heuts S, Adriaans BP, de Haan C, et al.
Published in JAMA Cardiol, Vol. 11 (8), pp. 719-726
Methodology
Randomised placebo-controlled trial (VitaK-CAC) at two Dutch hospitals. Patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease and a coronary artery calcium (CAC) score of 50-400 Agatston units took 360 mcg menaquinone-7 (MK-7) a day or an identical placebo for 2 years. CAC score and calcium mass were measured by CT at 1 and 2 years.
Key Findings
180 patients were randomised (85 analysed on MK-7, 82 on placebo). Median CAC rose from 145 to 214 AU on placebo and from 135 to 184 AU on MK-7; the between-group difference was significant (P = .02), with a similar result for calcium mass. The rise in CAC tracked non-calcified plaques becoming partly calcified. No significant adverse effects were seen.
Conclusions
Two years of MK-7 may slow calcification of non-calcified plaques in symptomatic coronary artery disease; whether that changes plaque stability or heart attacks is unknown.
Limitations
Modest size; imaging outcome only, no clinical events; recruitment spanned 2012-2022 with interruptions; the authors say the meaning of slower calcification for plaque stability remains to be determined.
Supplements Studied
supplementation with MK-7 for 2 years may slow calcification in noncalcified plaques
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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