Abstract

Aim: Traditional risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (family history, gender, hypertension, dyslipidermia, diabetes, smoking, central obesity) which are well defined in the past three decades are not satisfactory to define the high incidence of coronary arterial disease. New evidences emphasize that homocystein may play an important role in the cardiovascular risk puzzle. Elevated plasma levels of this amino acid can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. The mechanisms of this risk elevation have not been clearly identified yet. Methods: In this study, 20 patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) and 20 healthy controls were investigated. Mean plasma homocystein values of the groups were compared. Both of the groups were subgrouped and analyzed by smoking habitus and gender. Results: In our study, patient group had higher plasma homocystein levels than the control group but no statistically significant difference was obtained (p>0.05). In the patient group, smokers had significantly higher levels (p<0.05). Conclusion: Many clinicians believe that hyperhomocyteinemia is a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Case control studies and some meta analysis trials showed that, high plasma homocystein leves is a good predictor of coronary heart disease. However, there is no clear evidence that decreasing of hyperhomosyteinemia is beneficial in primary and secondary prevention. This conflict may be solved when the ongoing trials will give us new data on the subject