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Serial measures of plasma homocyst(e)ine after acute myocardial infarction
W Egerton1, J Silberberg, R Crooks
1Discipline of Medicine, John Hunter Hospital & University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
The American Journal of Cardiology
|April 1, 1996
Insights
Plasma homocyst(e)ine levels decrease during the acute phase response following myocardial infarction. For accurate measurement, test homocyst(e)ine levels 7 days after a heart attack.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cardiology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- The acute phase response is a systemic reaction to tissue injury.
- Homocysteine is an amino acid linked to cardiovascular risk.
- The impact of the acute phase response on homocysteine levels is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of the acute phase response on plasma homocysteine levels.
- To determine the optimal timing for homocysteine measurement in patients with acute myocardial infarction.
Main Methods:
- Serial blood sampling was performed on 10 subjects following acute myocardial infarction.
- Plasma homocysteine levels were measured over time.
Main Results:
- Plasma homocysteine levels were observed to decrease during the acute phase response.
- A significant reduction in homocysteine levels was noted in the days following myocardial infarction.
Conclusions:
- The acute phase response significantly affects plasma homocysteine levels.
- Homocysteine measurements in myocardial infarction patients should be deferred for at least 7 days to avoid spuriously low values.
Abstract:
To determine whether plasma levels of homocyst(e)ine are affected by the acute phase response, we studied 10 subjects serially after acute myocardial infarction. Our data indicate that measurement of homocyst(e)ine in patients with myocardial infarction should ideally be deferred for 7 days if spuriously low levels are to be averted.