Vitamin k1 and Its Relation to Vascular Calcification in Hemodialysis Patients

Vascular calcification (VC) represents one of the major complications associated with progressive renal impairment. Matrix Gla-protein (MGP) is a vitamin K-dependent protein that acts as a powerful inhibitor of vascular calcification. Despite this fact, it remains unknown whether supplementation with vitamin K can lead to reduction or reversal of vascular and heart valve calcification. Our study aims primarily to investigate the effect of intravenous vitamin K1 three times weekly for a total duration of 6 months on the serum levels of dephosphorylated-uncarboxylated MGP (dp-ucMGP) as well as aortic calcification score and severity of aortic and mitral valve lesions.