![](/imgs/covers/ms_cover.jpg)
|
Indian Journal of Medical Sciences
Medknow Publications on behalf of Indian Journal of Medical Sciences Trust
ISSN: 0019-5359 EISSN: 0019-5359
Vol. 61, No. 6, 2007, pp. 361-371
|
Bioline Code: ms07061
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
|
|
Indian Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol. 61, No. 6, 2007, pp. 361-371
en |
Practitioners section - Homocysteine in cardiovascular disease: A culprit or an innocent bystander?
Kothekar, Mudgal Anantrao
Abstract
Whether hyperhomocysteinemia is a cardiovascular risk factor or is just an epiphenomenon is a subject of debate. More than 20 prospective and 30 retrospective studies on the topic have been published. Despite huge literature available, an unequivocal view has not been firmly established. Medical fraternity is still witnessing differing opinions regarding need to treat hyperhomocysteinemia. A medical practitioner needs to be well informed of developments and current opinion on this subject as it has a strong bearing on a major emerging public health problem of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This review presents the two views - for and against the acceptance of association between hyperhomocysteinemia and cardiovascular disease - and their basis. The two views are examined in the light of clinical, epidemiologic and genetic studies, reviews and meta-analyses available. Following conclusion was drawn from the exercise: The available evidence indicates that homocysteine is not an innocent bystander; it is an independent risk factor for CVD. The need for homocysteine-lowering therapy is however not yet unequivocally established. Physicians need to be vigilant of the updates on this much-debated topic thrusted on them time and again.
Keywords
Bystander, cardiovascular, hyperhomocysteinemia, risk factor, therapy
|
|
© Copyright 2007 Indian Journal of Medical Sciences. Alternative site location: http://www.indianjmedsci.org/
|
|