Elevated plasma homocysteine levels in patients with isolated coronary artery ectasia

Feridun Kosar1, Isa Sincer, Yuksel Aksoy

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Inonu University, Turgut Ozal Medical Center, Malatya, Turkey. mferidunkosar@hotmail.com

Coronary Artery Disease
|December 24, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Patients with coronary artery ectasia (CAE) and coronary artery disease (CAD) exhibit elevated plasma homocysteine levels. This suggests hyperhomocysteinemia may contribute to the development of CAE, similar to its role in CAD.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is a variation of coronary atherosclerosis.
  • Hyperhomocysteinemia is a recognized independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To measure plasma hyperhomocysteine levels in patients with CAE.
  • To compare these levels in patients with CAE, coronary artery disease (CAD), and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • Plasma hyperhomocysteine levels were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  • Study groups included 37 CAE patients, 36 CAD patients, and 32 controls with normal coronary angiograms.

Main Results:

  • Patients with CAE and CAD showed significantly higher plasma homocysteine levels than controls (P<0.001).
  • No significant difference in homocysteine levels was observed between the CAE and CAD groups (P>0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Elevated plasma hyperhomocysteine is evident in both CAE and CAD patients compared to controls.
  • Hyperhomocysteinemia may be implicated in the pathogenesis of coronary artery ectasia, mirroring its role in coronary artery disease.
Abstract

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