Association of Elevated Homocysteine Levels With a Higher Risk of Recurrent Coronary Events and Mortality in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND: Despite the prothrombotic and proinflammatory effects associated with elevated homocysteine levels, only limited data exist regarding the effect of homocysteine levels on outcome of patients with acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: Homocysteine levels were determined within 24 hours of presentation in 157 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction. Patients were allocated to 2 groups: those with homocysteine levels of 2.7 mg/L (20 micro mol/L) or more (n = 22 [14%]) and those with homocysteine levels of less than 2.7 mg/L (n = 135 [86%]). RESULTS: Female and diabetic patients had significantly lower homocysteine levels than males (P<.01) and nondiabetic patients (P =.005), respectively, with no significant correlation with age (r = 0.07, P =.42) or other risk factors. Patients with homocysteine levels greater than or equal to 2.7 mg/L and less than 2.7 mg/L did not differ significantly regarding extent of coronary artery disease as reflected by prevalence of multivessel disease (54% vs 61%; P =.87), and their in-hospital course. However, in a mean +/-SD follow-up of 30 +/- 10 months, patients with homocysteine levels greater than or equal to 2.7 mg/L had a higher incidence of recurrent coronary events (36% vs 17%; P =.04) and death (18% vs 5%; P<.05). Homocysteine levels greater than or equal to 2.7 mg/L remain a significant determinant of recurrent coronary event and/or death after controlling for potential cofounders by multivariate analysis (odds ratio, 3.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-11.0). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with acute myocardial infarction, elevated homocysteine levels are associated with a higher risk of recurrent coronary events and death, independent of other risk factors and the extent of coronary artery disease.