Relations of plasma homocysteine to left ventricular structure and function: the Framingham Heart Study

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Biochemistry
• Public Health

Background:

• Hyperhomocysteinaemia is a known risk factor for congestive heart failure, particularly in women.
• Elevated homocysteine levels may contribute to adverse cardiac structural changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between plasma total homocysteine and left ventricular (LV) remodelling.
• To determine if homocysteine promotes LV structural changes, such as increased LV mass and wall thickness.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional analysis of 2697 participants from the Framingham Heart Study, free of heart failure and prior myocardial infarction.
• Echocardiographic assessment of LV structure and function.
• Statistical analysis adjusted for age, height, and other clinical covariates.

Main Results:

• Plasma total homocysteine was positively associated with LV mass and wall thickness in women, but not in men.
• These associations remained significant in women after adjusting for covariates.
• Higher homocysteine quartiles correlated with increased LV mass and wall thickness in women.

Conclusions:

• Plasma homocysteine is directly related to LV mass and wall thickness in women.
• No significant association was found between homocysteine and LV structure in men.
• These findings suggest a sex-specific role for homocysteine in cardiac remodelling.