Association of Ischemic Heart Disease Assessed by Radionuclide Myocardial Perfusion Imaging with Bone Mineral Density Measurements by Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry and Serum Vitamin D Deficiency

Background: Because of the increasing prevalence of both ischemic heart diseases and vitamin D deficiency and also due to recent evidences on association between these two phenomena, it is vital to clarify the association of ischemic heart disease with vitamin D deficiency and low bone mass. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between low serum vitamin D and low bone mass measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) with ischemic heart disease assessed by the functional radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 204 consecutive patients aged older than 50 years who were candidates for MPI were included. Blood sample was extracted to measure the level of serum 25-OH vitamin D using a special kit (IDS kit). Then, the patients were assessed by MPI. Within a month of myocardial perfusion scanning, subjects underwent bone mineral density (BMD) measurements by DEXA method. Results: There was no significant difference in serum level of vitamin D between patients with normal and those with abnormal MPI results. In addition, no significant correlation was detected between BMD and myocardial ischemia. Conclusion: Coronary atherosclerosis may not be associated with the severity of low bone mass or level of vitamin D adequacy.