Serum homocysteine as a risk factor for carotid intimal thickening in acute stroke: A cross sectional observational study

INTRODUCTION: The present study aimed to analyse if there is a correlation between carotid intima medial thickening (CIMT) and Hcy in stroke patients. METHODOLOGY: We studied 100 consecutive cases of acute anterior circulation strokes at St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, India. Fasting serum samples for homocysteine were sent within 24 hours of admission and all patients underwent a carotid Doppler scan and carotid intima-medial thickness (CIMT) was estimated on both sides. RESULTS: There was significant correlation between serum homocysteine levels and carotid intima-medial thickness (r = 0.409, p = 0.000). Also after controlling for other possible risk factors it was found that elevations in serum homocysteine levels would cause a variation of 60% in the carotid intima-medial thickening. CONCLUSION: Serum Hcy levels correlate well with CIMT and hence may predict atherothrombotic events.