Plasma homocysteine levels and the left ventricular systolic function in coronary artery disease patients

BACKGROUNDNumerous studies have shown a relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia, atherothrombosis and cardiovascular mortality. However, an association between hyperhomocysteinemia and the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) remains controversial whereas its relationship with left ventricular systolic function has not been established. METHODSOne hundred and fifty-seven patients with angiographically defined CAD were included. The relationships between hyperhomocysteinemia, severity of CAD and left ventricular systolic function were studied. Left ventricular systolic function was determined primarily by ventriculography. The severity of CAD was determined through coronary angiography using the Gensini score and the number of vessels with ≥50% stenosis. RESULTSThe mean fasting plasma homocysteine level was 13.4 μmol/l±0.5 SE. Elevated levels of homocysteine correlated significantly with increased severity of CAD both by the Gensini scores (r-value=0.344, P