title: Homocysteine: predictor of thrombotic disease.
abstract: Up to one third of primary cardiovascular and cerebrovascular thrombotic events occur in people who do not have traditional risk factors. This has led the scientific community to look for other potential reasons, i.e., predictors of these events. Numerous clinical trials have demonstrated a definite link between increased levels of homocysteine and the development of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and peripheral vascular disease. Hyperhomocysteinemia is caused by a disruption in normal metabolism of homocysteine by lack of nutrition, pharmaceutical agents, and by inherited or acquired disorders associated with this metabolism. Elevated levels of homocysteine promote endothelial cell damage, platelet hyperactivity, and the production of abnormal clotting factors leading to the development of thromboembolic plaques in the coronary, carotid, and peripheral vascular systems. The laboratory assessment of homocysteine has been made easier and more readily available to the clinician by the development of new enzyme immunoassay technology. Preanalytical variables, however, such as collection, processing, and storage are very important considerations for the accurate detection of elevated levels of homocysteine.
authors.affiliation: Esoterix Coagulation, Aurora CO 80014, USA. paige.macy@esoterix.com
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Macy
mesh_terms: D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D006710:Homocysteine