Vitamin k1 and Its Relation to Vascular Calcification in Hemodialysis Patients

The enrolled patients received 5 mg of oral vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) three times /week for 6 months at the end of HD session to ensure compliance. We measured the serum dephosphorylated- uncarboxylated matrix Gla protein (dp-ucMGP) before and 6 months after vitamin K1 supplementation. In addition, plain lateral abdominal x-ray was conducted prior to and after 6 months of vitamin K supplementation to assess lumbar aorta calcification. The extent of aortic calcification score (AAC) was assessed by a semi-quantitative grading system developed by Kauppila.