ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Myocardial infarction in young age is an uncommon condition and has few risk factors than old aged group. Hyperhomocysteinemia, which is an independent risk factor for vascular disease, is associated with myocardial infarction (MI). Therefore, we evaluate that hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with myocardial infaction in young age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total 64 patients [normal control 23 (young:old 13:10 mean age 54.2+/-13.8), M.I 41 (young:old=13:28 mean age 53.9+/-14.1)] measured plasma levels of total homocysteine, folate, vitamine B6, and vitamine B12 and performed coronary angiography and echocardiography. Young aged group was defined male <45 years old and premenopausal wemen. RESULTS: 1) Homocysteine concentration was higher in MI patients than in controls (control 6.35+/-1.7 mmol/L, MI 11.3+/-4.9 mmol/L, p<0.001). 2) Levels of homocysteine were not significantly correlated with vitamine B6, B12, and folate, but were correlated with vitamine B12 in myocardial infarction (r=0.388, p<0.001). 3) Homocysteine levels were correlated with age, apoprotein B, BUN (r=0.374 0.52, p=0.05, 0.689 p=0.001) but correlated inversely with gobal function (r= - 0.672, p=0.001). 4) After adjusting for age factor in MI patients, homocysteine concentration was not significantly higher in young aged than in old aged group (young age 6.78+/-2.07, old age 10.2+/-4.17 mmol/L p=0.351 by ANCOVA). CONCLUSION: Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor of MI, but is not clear association with MI in young age.