Association of plasma homocysteine with restenosis after percutaneous coronary angioplasty

Aims Restenosis after percutaneous coronary angioplasty remains an important limitation of this procedure. This study evaluates whether elevated total plasma homocysteine levels contribute to the development of restenosis after coronary angioplasty. Methods and Results Two hundred and five patients were recruited after successful angioplasty of at least one coronary stenosis (≥50%). End-points were restenosis (≥50%) and a composite of major adverse cardiac events. Of the 205 patients, 183 (89·3%) underwent 6 months angiographic follow-up. Patients with restenosis had significantly higher homocysteine levels than those without (10·9± 3·9μmol.l−1 vs 9·3±3·8μmol.l−1, P