RESUMO
Objective To explore the role of plasma level of homocysteine ( Hey ) in progressive ischemic stroke (PIS)of carotid artery system and to investigate the relationship between Hcy and carotid artery atherosclerosis(AS).Methods Plasma Hcy concentrations were measured in 68 patients with progressive ischemic stroke of carotid artery system (PIS group)and 72 patients with non-progressive ischemic stroke of carotid artery system ( non-PIS group ).Plasma Hcy level and carotid artery intima-media thickness ( IMT ) were compared among PIS group and non-PIS group as well as normal control group.The linear correlation between plasma Hcy level and IMT in PIS group was analyzed.Results Plasma Hcy concentrations was respectively (22.52 ± 5.26) μmol/L,( 16.38 ± 4.23) μmol/L and( 10.13 ± 2.16) μmol/L in PIS group,non-PIS group and normal control group( F =56.87,P ＜ 0.01 ).Compared PIS group and non-PIS group with normal control group,the differences were statistically significant ( P ＜ 0.01 ).And there was also significant difference on plasma Hcy levels between PIS group and non-PIS group( P ＜ 0.01 ).The thickness of carotid artery IMT was respectively(1.12 ± 0.34)mm,(0.96 ± 0.27)mm and(0.43 ± 0.21 )mm in PIS group,non-PIS group and normal control group( F =28.47,P ＜ 0.01 ).Compared PIS group and non-PIS group with normal control group,the differences were statistically significant( P ＜ 0.01 ).And there was also significant difference on IMT between PIS group and non-PIS group ( P ＜ 0.01 ).In PIS group plasma Hcy level was positively correlated with the carotid artery IMT ( r =0.687,P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusion The plasma Hcy level is closely related to the occurrence and development of carotid artery atherosclerosis and PIS of carotid artery system,detection of plasma Hcy level helps to predict the occurrence of PIS of carotid artery system and provide an evidence for the therapy decision.