Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 2026

Cell-free Biochemical Fluorometric Enzymatic Assay for High-throughput Measurement of Lipid Peroxidation in High Density Lipoprotein
07:29

Cell-free Biochemical Fluorometric Enzymatic Assay for High-throughput Measurement of Lipid Peroxidation in High Density Lipoprotein

Published on: October 12, 2017

Risk prediction-Homocysteine in Coronary Heart Disease

Rao B Harish1, V Govindaraju, C N Manjunath

  • 1Dept of Biochemistry, Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences, 583104 Bellary.

Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry : IJCB
|October 30, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Homocysteine is a novel risk factor that significantly improves the prediction of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) events. This biomarker shows higher accuracy than conventional risk factors, offering a more precise tool for risk assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Biochemistry
  • Medical Diagnostics

Background:

  • Conventional risk factors for atherosclerosis have limited accuracy in predicting Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) events.
  • Many individuals without CHD events also exhibit conventional risk factors, necessitating new predictive markers.
  • Novel risk factors, including homocysteine, Lp(a), and insulin resistance, are emerging for improved CHD risk prediction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the predictive capability of homocysteine for CHD risk.
  • To compare the accuracy of homocysteine against established conventional risk factors for CHD.

Main Methods:

  • The study assessed homocysteine levels in patients.
  • Conventional risk factors were also measured for comparison.
  • Statistical analysis was performed to determine sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values.

Main Results:

  • Homocysteine demonstrated high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in predicting CHD.
  • The positive prediction value for homocysteine exceeded 90% in CHD patients.
  • Homocysteine outperformed common conventional risk factors in predictive accuracy.

Conclusions:

  • Homocysteine is a valuable novel risk factor for predicting CHD.
  • Incorporating homocysteine into risk models can enhance diagnostic accuracy.
  • Further research into novel risk factors like homocysteine is crucial for cardiovascular disease management.

Keywords:
Conventional risk factorsCoronary Artery DiseaseNovel Risk factorshomocysteine

Related Concept Videos

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers01:19

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers

Cardiac biomarkers are critical in diagnosing, prognosing, and managing cardiovascular diseases. Routine measurement of specific biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) is common practice in clinical settings to evaluate heart function and predict cardiovascular events.
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology01:26

Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) originates from a series of events that impair the function of coronary arteries, the blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The pathophysiology of CAD is closely linked to atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory and lipid-driven condition affecting the vascular endothelium.1. Endothelial DamageThe process begins with damage to the vascular endothelium, which serves as a protective barrier between the blood and the vessel...
Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets01:29

Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets

Advances in genomics have profoundly influenced drug discovery by increasing both the speed and accuracy of pharmaceutical development. Pharmacogenomics, which examines how genetic variation influences drug response, facilitates the identification of novel therapeutic targets and enables patient stratification for personalized treatment. These strategies contribute to improved drug efficacy, minimized adverse effects, and more efficient clinical trial design.Mapping genetic differences...
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease01:27

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...