The amino acid homocysteine is a further possible risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. The authors examined at the First Medical Clinic, Second Medical Faculty Charles University in the course of 1994-1996 59 patients with manifest IHD who were examined by coronarography and because of a major finding were indicated for revascularization surgery. This group was compared with a control group of subjects of equal age without major findings on the coronary circulation. The control group differed from the former group significantly only as regards the triglyceride level which was higher in the former group and the group comprised a larger number of diabetic patients. As regards cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, uric acid, fibrinogen levels there was no significant difference. The authors found an insignificant difference in homocysteine levels. In the investigated group of patients indicated for revascularization surgery the mean homocysteinaemia was 12.3 mumol/l (sigma 4.3 mumol/l) and in the control group 11.8 mumol/l (sigma 3.8 mumol/l). The mean homocysteine level in the investigated group did not exceed the level of 15 mumol/l reported in the literature as the borderline of normal homocysteine blood levels. The authors did not reveal a statistically significant correlation between homocysteine levels, diabetes mellitus type II and smoking.

Keywords: Arteriosclerosis /blood/; Coronary Angiography; Female; Homocysteine /blood/; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardial Revascularization; Risk Factors