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Elevated plasma total homocysteine concentrations are a marker of vitamin deficiency and a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It is possible that vitamin supplementation with folic acid and other B vitamins, which lower plasma homocysteine concentrations, may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Large-scale clinical trials are currently underway to assess the homocysteine hypothesis of cardiovascular disease. Pending the outcome of such trials, measurement of plasma homocysteine concentrations in people at high risk of cardiovascular disease may help to identify patients who could benefit from more intensive treatment of classical cardiovascular risk factors. The introduction of immunoassays for homocysteine determination has made assessment of homocysteine status accessible to most routine hospital laboratories, and this review summarizes the evidence on why and how to assess homocysteine as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in clinical practice.

Original publication

DOI

10.1258/0004563011901046

Type

Journal article

Journal

Ann Clin Biochem

Publication Date

11/2001

Volume

38

Pages

624 - 632

Keywords

Biomarkers, Blood Chemical Analysis, Cardiovascular Diseases, Clinical Trials as Topic, Diet, Folic Acid, Homocysteine, Humans, Hyperhomocysteinemia, Immunoassay, Mutation, Risk Factors, Vitamin B 12