HOMOCYSTEINE - AN INDEPENDENT RISK FACTOR FOR THE FAILURE OF VASCULARINTERVENTION

Hyperhomocysteinaemia is an independent risk factor for the early deve lopment of arterial disease. Homocysteine and cardiovascular risk fact ors were assessed in 41 young and 25 older patients with vascular dise ase. As homocysteine may act by the generation of free radicals, total antioxidant capacity was measured, Hyperhomocysteinaemia was found in 29 per cent of patients but there was no difference between young and older patients. Homocysteine level was unrelated to other cardiovascu lar risk factors. Young age, diabetes and hyperhomocysteinaemia were i ndependent risk factors for the failure of vascular procedures (P = 0. 006). Patients with hyperhomocysteinaemia had raised total antioxidant capacity. The potential of identifying and treating a subgroup of pat ients with a poor prognosis deserves further study.