Association Between Plasma Homocysteine Concentration and Carotid Atherosclerosis in Hemodialysis Patients

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Abstract
Accelerated atherosclerosis is a major risk for uremic patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis. Because hyperhomocysteinemia may influence this condition, 168 such patients were examined for a possible association between plasma total homocysteine concentration (tHcy) and conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Generalized atherosclerosis was indicated by excessive intimal-medial wall thickness (IMT) of the extracranial carotid artery as measured by B-mode ultrasonography. The results documented tHcy in these patients of 33.0±16.9 μmol/L, a significantly higher amount than that of healthy subjects (11.0±3.1μmol/L, pJpn Circ J 1999; 63: 692 - 696)