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].
Conclusion: Homocysteine level is elevated in patients with coronary heart disease. Higher level of homocysteine is associated with increased number of coronary arteries with stenosis.