ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

FREQUENCY OF ELEVATED HOMOCYSTEINE LEVELS IN PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the frequency of elevated homocysteine level in
patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction. Design: Cross-sectional. Place and
Duration: Coronary Care Unit of Allied hospital Faisalabad, from 25-11-09- to 24-05-2010.
Material and Methods: A total of 164 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected.
Demographic details, history and examination findings of the patients were recorded. Blood
sample were collected in fasting state for estimation of plasma glucose, serum LDL, serum
cholesterol and serum total homocysteine level. Data Analysis: Descriptive statistics like mean
with standard deviation were applied on age. Frequency of elevated homocysteine levels was
calculated in acute myocardial infarction with other conventional risk factors for coronary artery
disease. Male to female ratio was calculated. Frequency of elevated homocysteine levels was
calculated in acute myocardial infarction. Results: Out of 164, 53.9% (n=88) were male patients
and 76 46.08% (n=76) were females. Average age was 60.90±10.19. Among conventional
risk factors, the frequency of elevated homocysteine levels was high (82%) in smokers. The
frequency of elevated homocysteine levels was 55% in acute myocardial infarction and it was
61% in males and 39% in females respectively. The frequency of elevated homocysteine levels
was highest (73%) among age group between 40-50 years. Conclusion: Frequency of elevated
homocysteine levels was high among the patients with acute myocardial infarction. Moderate
elevated homocysteine levels were associated with smoking.