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Plasma homocysteine levels in patients with deep venous thrombosis
T Amundsen1, P M Ueland, A Waage
1University Hospital of Trondheim, Norway.
Insights
This study found no significant difference in plasma homocysteine levels between young adults with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and control groups. Hyperhomocysteinemia is unlikely to be a frequent cause of DVT in this population.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Hematology
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Hyperhomocysteinemia is linked to arterial thromboembolic disease.
- Evidence suggests it's an independent risk factor for premature arteriosclerosis.
- Association with venous thromboembolism remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between hyperhomocysteinemia and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in young adults.
- To determine if elevated plasma homocysteine levels are a risk factor for DVT.
- To compare homocysteine levels in DVT patients with healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Studied 35 young adult DVT patients (age < 56) with verified thrombosis.
- Excluded patients with coexisting diseases.
- Measured plasma homocysteine levels before and after methionine loading, comparing with 39 controls.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in plasma homocysteine levels was observed between DVT patients and control subjects.
- Methionine loading did not reveal significant differences.
- Findings suggest hyperhomocysteinemia is not a common cause of DVT.
Conclusions:
- Hyperhomocysteinemia does not appear to be a frequent cause of deep venous thrombosis in young adults.
- Further research may be needed to explore other potential risk factors.
- This study contributes to understanding the multifactorial nature of DVT.
Abstract:
Increased risk of arterial and venous thromboembolic disease is well documented in the homocystinuric patient. There is growing evidence that hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for premature arteriosclerotic disease, including cerebral, peripheral, and coronary vascular diseases. So far no association has been established between hyperhomocysteinemia and venous thromboembolism. We studied 35 patients, young adults (age less than 56 years) with venographically and/or ultrasonographically verified deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Patients with coexisting diseases were excluded. Plasmahomocysteine levels before and after intake of methionine were measured 3 months or more after the time of diagnosis and compared with 39 control subjects. We found no significant difference in plasmahomocysteine levels between the young adults with deep venous thrombosis and control subjects. This indicates that hyperhomocysteinemia is not a frequent cause of DVT.