Open AccessHomocysteine levels in patients with risk factors for atherosclerosis
Author(s) -
Blum Ar,
Khazim Khaled,
Gumanovsky Marina,
Yeganeh Shay,
Jawabreh Subchi,
Lupovitch Sacha,
Peleg Aviva
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.4960240609
Subject(s) - hyperhomocysteinemia , medicine , homocysteine , risk factor , coronary artery disease , vascular disease , cardiology , coronary atherosclerosis , epidemiology , gastroenterology
Background : Abundant epidemiological evidence has demonstrated that the presence of mild to moderate hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis in the coronary, cerebral, and peripheral vasculature, and for vascular disease, including coronary disease. It has been demonstrated that plasma total homocysteine level is a strong predictor of mortality in patients with angiographically confirmed coronary artery disease. Hypothesis : The study was undertaken to determine the extent of homocysteine levels in patients without documented coronary artery disease, but with at least one risk factor for atherosclerosis. Methods : Fasting blood samples were collected prospectively from 160 consecutive patients (50 women and 110 men, mean age 65 ± 7 years) who had at least one risk factor for atherosclerosis, but had no documented coronary artery disease. Homocysteine levels were measured by an immunoassay method. Results : Of the patients studied, 78 (48.75%) with at least one risk factor for atherosclerosis had high homocysteine levels; 62 patients had mild hyperhomocysteinemia (15–30 μmol/l); and 16 patients had moderate hyperhomocysteinemia (30–100 μmol/l). Conclusions : Our data suggest that hyperhomocysteinemia is highly prevalent in patients with risk factors for atherosclerosis. Homocysteine level (an independent convertible risk factor to atherosclerosis) should be measured routinely in patients with risk factors for atherosclerosis and treated appropriately.