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The relation between homocysteine and calcific aortic valve stenosis
Huseyin Gunduz1, Huseyin Arinc, Ali Tamer
1Department of Cardiology, Izzet Baysal Faculty of Medicine, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey. drhuseyingunduz@yahoo.com
Cardiology
|April 20, 2005
Summary
Elevated homocysteine levels are not linked to aortic valve stenosis alone. However, higher homocysteine concentrations are observed in patients with both aortic valve stenosis and coronary heart disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Clinical Biochemistry
Background:
- Calcific aortic valve stenosis shares cardiac risk factors with coronary artery disease.
- Homocysteine is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between plasma homocysteine levels and aortic valve stenosis.
- To assess the influence of homocysteine on the coexistence of coronary artery disease in patients with moderate to severe aortic valve stenosis.
Main Methods:
- Compared 58 patients with moderate to severe aortic stenosis to 47 healthy controls.
- Measured plasma homocysteine, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides.
- Subdivided aortic stenosis patients based on the presence or absence of coronary artery disease.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in homocysteine levels between aortic stenosis patients and controls.
- Aortic stenosis patients had higher total cholesterol and hypertension.
- Patients with both aortic stenosis and coronary artery disease showed significantly higher homocysteine levels compared to those with only aortic stenosis.
Conclusions:
- Blood homocysteine levels are not directly related to the presence of aortic valve stenosis.
- Elevated homocysteine is associated with the coexistence of coronary heart disease and aortic stenosis.