Increased homocysteine and lipoprotein(a) levels highlight systemic atherosclerotic burden in patients with a history of acute coronary syndromes

Background Strong evidence supports an association between high levels of homocysteine (Hcy) and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and an increased rate of ischemic vascular events. Methods The study population comprised 162 patients (50 women [30.9%]; age, 66.71 ± 12.76 years) having a history of acute coronary syndrome within 1 year who underwent fasting blood sampling, measurement of intima-media thickness and pulse wave velocity at the common carotid and femoral arteries by Doppler ultrasound, and ankle-brachial index measurement. Cutoff values were considered 0.9 mm and 1.2 mm for carotid and femoral intima-media thickness, respectively; 12 m/s for pulse wave velocity; and