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Published on: November 19, 2019
Hyperhomocysteinemia, antithrombin consumption, and early venous graft closure in surgical coronary revascularization
M Ranucci1, F Romitti, E Costa
1Department of Cardiothoracic-Vascular Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Polyclinic Hospital S. Donato IRCCS, Milan, Italy. cardioanestesia@virgilio.it
Insights
This case report highlights how hyperhomocysteinemia, a condition linked to increased cardiovascular risk, may contribute to thrombosis after cardiac surgery. Low antithrombin activity was observed post-operation in a patient with this condition.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Hematology
- Genetics
Background:
- Hyperhomocysteinemia elevates cardiovascular risk due to prothrombotic effects.
- Cardiac surgery and hyperhomocysteinemia can independently increase thrombin generation.
Observation:
- A 61-year-old man experienced early venous graft thrombosis after coronary revascularization.
- Postoperative antithrombin activity was significantly reduced (33%) compared to preoperative levels (79%).
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with hyperhomocysteinemia (18.4 mmol/L) due to a heterozygous C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase mutation and folate deficiency.
- Combined factors of hyperhomocysteinemia and cardiac surgery likely led to antithrombin consumption and thrombosis.
Implications:
- This case suggests a potential link between hyperhomocysteinemia and thrombotic events post-cardiac surgery.
- Further research is required to establish hyperhomocysteinemia as an independent risk factor for thrombosis after cardiac operations.
Abstract:
Hyperhomocysteinemia is a pathological condition that increases cardiovascular risk due to prothrombotic behaviour in the patient. This case report concerns a 61-year-old man undergoing surgical coronary revascularization for early thrombosis of the venous graft. The postoperative antithrombin activity was extremely low (33%), despite normal preoperative values (79%) and a short cardiopulmonary bypass. At a subsequent screening, the patient was diagnosed with hyperhomocysteinemia (18.4 mmol/L) due to a heterozygous C677T mutation of the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase associated with a folate deficiency. Hyperhomocysteinemia and cardiac operation are both factors that induce increased thrombin formation, which may induce antithrombin consumption and a consequent thrombotic event. Further studies are needed to define hyperhomocysteinemia as an independent risk factor for thrombotic events after cardiac surgery.
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