Carotid Artery Stenosis Correlation with Hyperhomocysteinemia in Stroke Patient Group: a Prospective Study

Introduction. Stroke is the second most common cause of death worldwide and one of the major causes of long-term disability. Carotid artery stenosis is an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke and related forms of atherosclerotic vascular disease. Aim of the Study was to examine plasma homocysteine (tHcy) levels in the stroke patient's group with significant carotid artery stenosis, to determine hyperhomocysteinemia correlation with degree of carotid artery stenosis. Materials and methods. This study was prospective and all patients (n=102) included in the study were hospitalized in Pauls Stradins Clinical University hospital in Clinic of Neurology with diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke. In the group of significant carotidal stenosis we included 48 patients with various degree of stenosis ranging from 50% to total occlusion. Evaluations of stenosis of extracranial carotid arteries were done by duplex ultrasonography method. The blood of these patients was tested for homocysteine level by ELISA (IMMULITE 2000). Results. Study did not demonstrated statistically significant difference between levels of tHcy in all groups. Mean homocysteine level was not significantly higher in the symptomatic carotid stenosis patient's group. Also there were no significant differences between levels of homocysteine in patient group with different degree of stenosis. Conclusions. We found no meaningful association between a high tHcy level and extent of carotid stenosis.