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Hyperhomocysteinaemia as a risk factor for deep-vein thrombosis

Y Unlü1, S Keleş, N Becit

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey. yahyaunlu@hotmail.com

European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery : the Official Journal of the European Society for Vascular Surgery
|June 21, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Elevated plasma homocysteine levels are linked to an increased risk of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). This study found significantly higher homocysteine in DVT patients compared to controls, suggesting a potential causal role.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Thrombosis Research

Background:

  • Hyperhomocysteinemia is a known risk factor for vascular diseases.
  • The specific association between elevated homocysteine and deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between plasma homocysteine levels and the risk of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT).
  • To compare homocysteine levels in patients diagnosed with DVT against healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • Plasma homocysteine levels were measured in 48 DVT patients and 33 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.
  • High-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection was used for homocysteine quantification.
  • Hyperhomocysteinemia was defined as plasma homocysteine >15 micromol/L; DVT diagnosis was confirmed by Doppler ultrasonography.

Main Results:

  • Patients with deep-vein thrombosis exhibited significantly higher plasma homocysteine levels compared to the control group (p<0.001).
  • Mean homocysteine levels were 17.1 ± 5.13 micromol/L in DVT patients versus 9.0 ± 1.27 micromol/L in controls.
  • The association between elevated homocysteine and venous thrombosis was more pronounced in men than in women.

Conclusions:

  • Increased plasma homocysteine levels may play a causative role in the development of deep-vein thrombosis.
  • These findings highlight homocysteine as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for venous thromboembolism.
Abstract

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