Related Experiment Videos
Serum homocysteine does not associate with uncomplicated coronary heart disease
S T Nikkari1, A Kalela, T A Koivu
1University of Tampere Medical School, Tampere, Finland, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.
Insights
Elevated serum homocysteine is linked to myocardial infarction, a serious heart condition. This study found higher homocysteine levels in heart attack survivors, suggesting a potential risk factor for this specific cardiovascular event.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Elevated serum homocysteine is a suspected risk factor for coronary heart disease.
- Mechanisms linking homocysteine to atherosclerosis are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum homocysteine levels and angina pectoris or myocardial infarction.
Main Methods:
- Compared serum homocysteine in 248 Finnish males with angina/myocardial infarction history to age-matched controls.
- Utilized a cross-sectional risk factor survey design.
Main Results:
- Serum homocysteine was significantly higher in myocardial infarction patients (15.3 µmol/L) versus controls (13.9 µmol/L).
- Logistic regression confirmed serum homocysteine as a significant independent predictor of myocardial infarction.
- No significant difference in homocysteine levels was observed between angina pectoris patients and controls.
Conclusions:
- Elevated serum homocysteine is associated with myocardial infarction.
- Serum homocysteine does not appear to be associated with uncomplicated angina pectoris.
Background:
Elevated serum homocysteine concentrations have been related to coronary heart disease. However, the association has not indisputably been proven, and the mechanisms by which homocysteine may be atherogenic have only partially been elucidated. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether serum homocysteine is associated with angina pectoris and myocardial infarction.
Methods:
We compared serum homocysteine concentrations in subjects with clinical evidence of angina pectoris or history of myocardial infarction to age-matched controls. The study included 248 males, who participated in a large cross-sectional risk factor survey carried out in five geographic areas in Finland.
Results:
Serum homocysteine concentration was significantly higher in subjects with a history of myocardial infarction compared to controls (15.3 micromol L-1 and 13.9 micromol L-1 respectively, P = 0.037). In a logistic regression model including several cardiovascular risk factors, serum homocysteine was significantly associated with myocardial infarction (95% CI 1.0157-1.2990, P = 0.027). Serum homocysteine concentrations did not differ between subjects with angina pectoris and age-matched controls (13.9 micromol L-1 and 14.2 micromol L-1 respectively).
Conclusions:
Our results suggest that elevated serum homocysteine is associated with myocardial infarction but not with uncomplicated coronary heart disease.