[Lack of correlation between plasma homocysteine levels and cerebral microangiopathy in patients wtih transient ischemic attack].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to evaluate cerebral MRI findings in patients with atherothrombotic transient ischemic attacks (TIA) and its correlation with plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels.


METHODS
A total of 62 consecutive patients with the diagnosis of TIA of atherothrombotic origin were studied. MRI examinations were performed in all patients for the evaluation of the presence of infarct and/or white matter hyperintensities (WMHI). Plasma Hcy levels were determined according to the method described by Smolin and Schneider modified.


RESULTS
Plasma Hcy levels were significantly (p < 0.036) higher in patients with MRI-detected infarcts (9.69 +/- 2.06 mumol/l) compared with patients without infarcts (8.65 +/- 1.7 mumol/l. There was no correlation (p < 0.33) between plasma Hcy levels and the presence or absence of WMHI seen on MRI.


CONCLUSIONS
In TIA patients, plasma Hcy levels were significantly higher in patients with cerebral infarcts, but did not correlate with the presence of WMHI. Our results suggest that mild hyperhomocysteinemia would be associated with large-medium vessel rather than with small vessel disease.
Alvarez-Sabín
J
J
Unidad Cerebrovascular, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España.
Montaner
J
J
Rovira
A
A
Turón
J
J
Molina
C
C
Malinow
R
R
Abilleira
S
S
Codina
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000150:complications*; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D006710:Homocysteine
Ausencia de correlación entre homocisteína plasmática y microangiopatía cerebral en pacientes con ataque isquémico transitorio.