Plasma Homocysteine Status in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease

Aim of the Study: The study aimed to evaluate total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) levels in patients with already developed Ischemic Heart Disease in the Pakistani population. Methodology: The current study was a cross sectional study. A total of 120 patients undergoing angioplasty procedure were selected through convenient sampling from angiography ward of Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC), Lahore. Fasting blood samples were drawn and analyzed in laboratory for tHcy levels. Results: Results indicated elevated homocysteine levels (16.58±7.73) Mean±Standard deviation (SD). The study found higher levels of plasma homocysteine in males as compared to females (17.66±7.97 vs 12.97± 5.64) Mean± SD. No significant relationship was found between age, Body Mass Index (BMI)-Obesity and fasting hours of patients with tHcy. Homocysteine levels t(42)= 2.56,p=0.014 were also found to be high in patients suffering from Hypertension in comparison to diabetes. Conclusion: The study highlights the significance of homocystine to be recognized as an essential biomarker in assessment and therapeutic management of heart disease in developing countries like the Pakistan. It supports the claims of previous studies recognizing homocysteine as a significant and possibly independent risk factor for incidence and progression of IHD. It is suggested that plasma homocysteine should be identified as an important risk factor by the clinicians and dieticians. Managing homocysteine levels in the prevention and treatment of ischemic heart disease should be considered in the Pakistani population.