The Study
Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial of the Effect of Treatment with Vitamin K2 on Vascular Calcification in Hemodialysis Patients (Trevasc-HDK)
This study gave some people vitamin K2 pills and others nothing, then checked if their heart arteries got less clogged. It found the pills lowered a blood marker, but didn’t actually stop the clogging. So we know the pills did something to the blood, but we don’t know if that helped their hearts.
Analysis score
Maximum 90 for a randomized controlled trial.
Where the score came from
Doctors thought giving vitamin K2 to dialysis patients might soften their clogged arteries by fixing a protein that blocks calcium buildup. They gave some patients pills and others nothing, then checked their arteries after 18 months.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 578 / 100
Quality score
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or control groups, minimizing bias. The gold standard for testing whether an intervention causes an effect.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1Even though the vitamin worked on the blood marker, it didn't translate to real benefits — the arteries still hardened at the same rate, and patients had the same number of heart problems.
- 2Vitamin K2 lowered a blood marker of vitamin K deficiency by 486 pmol/L, but didn't slow artery calcification, valve hardening, or heart events.
- 3Arteries got just as clogged in both groups.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Kidney International Reports
Year
2023
Authors
S. Haroon, A. Davenport, L. Ling, B. Tai, L. Teo, L. Schurgers, Zhaojin Chen, R. Shroff, Dagmar-Christiane Fischer, Priyanka Khatri, Sanmay Low, J. Tan, H. Chua, B. Teo, C. Ong, S. Subramanian, Xi-Er Yeo, W. Wong, T. Lau
Related Content
Claims (7)
In hemodialysis patients, taking 360 micrograms of vitamin K2 three times a week for 18 months does not reduce calcification of the aortic valve, stiffness of the arteries, or serious heart events, even though it lowers dp-ucMGP levels.
In patients undergoing hemodialysis, taking vitamin K2 at 360 micrograms three times per week for 18 months does not increase the occurrence of adverse events, complications with vascular access, or blood clots.
In hemodialysis patients, lowering dp-ucMGP levels with vitamin K2 supplements does not consistently lead to reduced vascular calcification across different studies.
In patients on hemodialysis with advanced coronary artery calcification, taking 360 micrograms of vitamin K2 three times per week for 18 months does not reduce the worsening of calcification measured by Agatston score, even though a blood marker of vitamin K status improves.
Taking 360 micrograms of vitamin K2 three times a week for 18 months lowers a specific blood marker of vitamin K deficiency by about 486 pmol/L in people on hemodialysis, but does not slow the progression of calcification in the coronary arteries, aortic valve, or arteries, or reduce major heart events.
Taking 360 micrograms of vitamin K2 daily for two years leads to less buildup of calcium in the arteries than taking a placebo.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.