Correlation study of serum vitamin K and Gas6 levels with aortic arch calcification and left ventricular hypertrophy in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among MHD patients, with aortic arch calcification and left ventricular hypertrophy as common complications. The role of vitamin K-dependent protein Gas6 in these structural changes remains unclear. Objectives: To examine the relationship between serum vitamin K2/Gas6 levels and the presence of aortic arch calcification/left ventricular hypertrophy in MHD patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 189 patients with MHD. Serum vitamin K2 (MK-7) and Gas6 levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). LVMI stratified patients into LVH (n=110) and non-LVH (n=79) groups, and by AACS into four calcification severity groups (n=46, 54, 53, 36). Group differences were analyzed using Spearman correlation and multivariate logistic regression. Results: LVH patients were older and had higher BNP, creatinine and Gas6 levels, but lower vitamin K2 levels (P65 years and vitamin K2 <2.39 nmol/L were independent AACS risk factors. Conclusion: No correlation was found between serum vitamin K or Gas6 and LVH in MHD patients. AACS negatively correlated with vitamin K and positively with Gas6.