Hyperhomocysteinaemia and adverse events complicating coronary catheter interventions.
BACKGROUND
Since hyperhomocysteinaemia is an independent risk factor for development of atherosclerosis as well as for arterial and venous thrombosis we investigated whether elevated homocysteine levels are associated with procedural excess risk which complicates coronary interventions including coronary angioplasty (PTCA), stenting, or directional coronary atherectomy (DCA).


METHODS
Consecutive cases receiving coronary catheter interventions.


METHODS
Tertiary referral centre in Germany.


METHODS
Fasting total plasma homocysteine levels (tHcy) were determined in 648 consecutive coronary artery disease patients who underwent catheter interventions (272 PTCA, 102 DCA, and 274 stenting). Hyperhomocysteinaemia was defined as tHcy >/=15 micromol/l. The patients were investigated for a 30-day composite endpoint, including need for target-vessel revascularization, myocardial infarction, and death.


RESULTS
Among the 648 patients, 78 (12%) demonstrated elevated tHcy levels. The composite endpoint occurred in 41 patients (6.3%). For the entire intervention group there was no evidence that hyperhomocysteinaemia was associated with excess procedural risk (odds ratio [OR]: 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.52 to -3.13; P=0.62). In further analyses according to device, hyperhomocysteinaemia also failed to predict complications in the device related subgroups.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that hyperhomocysteinaemia is not a major risk factor for 30-day adverse events complicating PTCA, DCA, or stenting.
Stangl
K
K
Humboldt-Universität, Medizinische Klinik, Charité, Campus Mitte, Schwerpunkt Kardiologie, Angiologie, Pneumologie, Schumannstrasse 20/21, D-10117, Berlin, Germany. karl.stangl@charite.de
Cascorbi
I
I
Stangl
V
V
Laule
M
M
Dschietzig
T
T
Richter
C
C
Felix
S B
SB
Roots
I
I
Baumann
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D017225:Atherectomy, Coronary; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000150:complications*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015607:Stents
D008055:Lipids