Association between plasma homocysteine levels and coronary artery disease.

Abstract

Objectives: Various studies have proposed that increased plasma homocysteine level causes both venous and arterial thrombosis contributing to myocardial Infarction, stroke, and pulmonary embolism, though the results are still debatable. In addition, the homocysteine levels show a genetic and ethnic predisposition. The present study thus aimed to evaluate the association between plasma homocysteine levels and coronary artery disease in Indian patients.

Material and Methods: The present study was a hospital-based case-control study, conducted at a tertiary care hospital in North India. The study included 237 diagnosed cases of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who were compared with 50 age and sex matched apparently healthy controls. Subjects of the two groups were compared for levels of plasma homocysteine, lipid profile and other conventional risk factors of coronary artery disease (CAD). Homocysteine levels were analysed by chemilumniscence immunoassay. Statistical analysis was performed using using SPSS v.21.0. Values were expressed as a mean ± standard deviation or as percentages.  Student’s t test and Chi square test was used to evaluate statistical significance.

Result: The mean homocysteine levels were found to be significantly higher (p<0.001) in patients of ACS as compared to the healthy controls. (14.34 ± 7.49 µmol/L and 11.34 ± 4.91µmol/L respectively). However, no association was found between homocysteine level and the conventional risk factors.

Conclusion: The results suggest that high levels of homocysteine are associated with ACS and may be used for risk assessment of CAD. However, further studies with larger sample size would be required to validate the findings .