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Updated: Jul 8, 2026

A Magnetic Resonance Imaging-based Computational Protocol for Analysis of Plaque Morphology and Hemodynamics in Patients with Carotid Artery Stenosis
09:36

A Magnetic Resonance Imaging-based Computational Protocol for Analysis of Plaque Morphology and Hemodynamics in Patients with Carotid Artery Stenosis

Published on: August 12, 2025

Hyperhomocysteinemia and recurrent carotid stenosis

Renata Hillenbrand1, Andreas Hillenbrand, Florian Liewald

  • 1Department of Vascular and Thoracic Surgery, University of Ulm, Ulm, German. Hillenbrand.Renata@web.de

BMC Cardiovascular Disorders
|January 19, 2008
PubMed

Insights

High homocysteine levels do not appear to significantly increase the risk of restenosis after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). This study found lower homocysteine levels in patients who developed restenosis, contrary to expectations.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Surgery
  • Cardiovascular Disease
  • Clinical Chemistry

Background:

  • Hyperhomocysteinemia is a suspected risk factor for atherosclerotic disease.
  • The role of elevated serum homocysteine in restenosis post-carotid endarterectomy (CEA) requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between elevated serum homocysteine levels and the development of restenosis after CEA.
  • To determine if higher homocysteine concentrations are linked to increased restenosis risk.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 96 patients undergoing CEA.
  • Comparison of fasting plasma homocysteine levels between patients with and without restenosis (defined as ≥50% stenosis via duplex scan).
  • Subgroup analysis of early (3-18 months) and late (≥19 months) restenosis.

Main Results:

  • Patients who developed restenosis had significantly lower mean homocysteine levels (9.11 µmol/L) compared to those without restenosis (11.01 µmol/L; p=0.03).
  • No significant difference in homocysteine levels was observed between early and late restenosis groups (p=0.50).
  • Groups were controlled for age, sex, diabetes, nicotine abuse, weight, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated plasma homocysteine concentrations do not appear to be a significant risk factor for restenosis following CEA.
  • The study's findings suggest an inverse or non-existent relationship between homocysteine and restenosis in this context.
Abstract

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