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The relation between plasma homocysteine level and cardiovascular risk factors in cerebral ischemia

Chi-Wei Huang1, Tsung-Hua Chen, Hung-Sheng Lin

  • 1Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Koahsiung Medical Center and College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Acta Neurologica Taiwanica
|August 10, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is common in patients with cerebral ischemia. Even with normal kidney function, serum creatinine levels predict HHcy, a treatable cardiovascular risk factor requiring regular monitoring.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Nephrology
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is linked to increased risk of vascular thrombosis and cerebral ischemia.
  • Identifying confounding factors for HHcy is crucial, particularly in individuals with normal serum creatinine.
  • Understanding HHcy prevalence and its association with cardiovascular risk factors in specific patient populations is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the frequency of HHcy in patients experiencing cerebral ischemia.
  • To investigate the relationship between homocysteine levels and cardiovascular risk factors.
  • To describe plasma homocysteine level distribution in cerebral ischemia patients with normal serum creatinine.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective study design was employed.
  • Patients were categorized into two groups based on plasma homocysteine levels: Group I (>= 12 microM/L) and Group II (< 12 microM/L).
  • Analysis included comparison of cardiovascular risk factors and biochemical parameters between the two groups.

Main Results:

  • Out of 218 patients, 45 (Group I) had elevated homocysteine levels.
  • No significant differences were observed in hypertension, diabetes, cardiac disease, age, liver enzymes, lipid profile, or blood counts between groups.
  • Serum creatinine levels were significantly higher in Group I and correlated directly with plasma homocysteine, acting as an independent predictor.

Conclusions:

  • HHcy is prevalent among cerebral ischemia patients in this cohort.
  • Renal function, indicated by serum creatinine, is a key determinant of HHcy, even in individuals with initially normal creatinine levels.
  • Regular monitoring of HHcy is recommended due to its treatable nature and detrimental impact on renal function and cardiovascular health.
Abstract

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