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 μmol/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.