Cardiology - Homocysteine

Hyperhomocysteinemia, elevated levels of homocysteine, can be associated with an increased risk of CVD. Patients with chronic renal disease experience an excess morbidity and mortality due to arteriosclerotic CVD. Elevated concentration of homocysteine is a frequently observed finding in the blood of these patients. Although such patients lack some of the vitamins involved in the metabolism of homocysteine, the elevated homocysteine levels are mainly due to impaired homocysteine removal from the blood by the kidneys.

Recent evidence has also implicated elevated blood levels of homocysteine in miscarriages and birth defects. Drugs such as methotrexate, carbamazepine, phenytoin, nitrous oxide and 6-azauridine triacetate interfere with homocysteine metabolism and may give elevated levels.