[The association between plasma homocysteine and the number of coronary artery with stenosis].
OBJECTIVE
Previous studies have shown that elevated plasma homocysteine is a risk factor for arterosclerotic disease and is associated with increased severity of carotid-artery stenosis and peripheral arterial disease. In this study, we examine the precise relation of homocysteine to the number of coronary artery with stenosis.


METHODS
One hundred and seventeen subjects who underwent coronary angiography from June to October 1998 in our hospital were recruited in this study. Cases (n = 101) with >or= 50% stenosis in at least one of the three coronary vessels were angiographically defined as having coronary heart disease (CHD). While subjects (n = 16) had 0% stenosis in all the three coronary vessels were considered as controls. CHD cases were divided into single-vessel (n = 29), double-vessel (n = 35) and triple-vessel group (n = 37). Plasma homocysteine was measured within 1 week before angiography in all subjects.


RESULTS
Mean plasma homocysteine level was significantly higher in coronary patients than in controls [(17.56 +/- 1.14) micromol/L versus (10.59 +/- 0.43) micromol/L, P = 0.02]. Homocysteine level in the triple-vessel group or double-vessel group was significantly higher compared with that in the controls [(19.49 +/- 1.98) micromol/L versus (10.59 +/- 0.43) micromol/L, P = 0.006 and (17.41 +/- 2.03) micromol/L versus (10.59 +/- 0.43) micromol/L, P = 0.036, respectively]. The level of homocysteine in the stingle-vessel group tended to be slightly higher as compared with that in the controls [(15.2 +/- 61.18) micromol/L versus (10.59 +/- 0.43) micromol/L, P = 0.16].


CONCLUSIONS
Homocysteine level is elevated in patients with coronary heart disease. Higher level of homocysteine is associated with increased number of coronary arteries with stenosis.
Liu
H
H
Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Cardiovascular Institute and Fu Wai Hospital, Beijing 100037.
Gao
R
R
Hui
R
R
Chen
J
J
Zhang
C
C
Wu
Y
Y
D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors
D006710:Homocysteine