ABSTRACT
Background: Besides conventional classic risk factors of ischaemic heart disease other variables that have come under scrutiny for their potential contribution include estrogen deficiency, lipoprotein (a), plasma fibrinogen, plasminogen-activator inhibitor type I, endogenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), C-reactive protein and homocysteine. A number of studies have been undertaken worldwide shows strong correlation of raised fasting plasma homocysteine level with the development of atherosclerotic vascular diseases, myocardial infarction or increasing severity of coronary artery diseases. Objective: To find out the correlation of fasting plama homocysteine level with the severity of coronary artery disease in our population. Method: We undertook a study involving 100 patients of ischaemic heart disease (determined clinically & by non-invasive tests) in National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Dhaka, Bangladesh, over the period of one year from January 2003 to December 2003. Out of 100 patients, 50 patients having normal homocysteine level were considered as control and another 50 patients having raised plasma homocysteine level were taken as cases. Result: Out of 50 patients, 20% had single vessel disease, 48% had double vessel disease and 32% had 3 vessel diseases. On the other hand in control group 10% patients had normal coronary artery disease, 40% had single vessel disease, 32% had double vessel disease and 18% had triple vessel disease. Conclusion: The study showed significant increase in number of coronary artery involvement by atherosclerotic lesions with increasing levels of plasma homocysteine level.
ABSTRACT
Background: Patients with angina pectoris or myocardial infarction are more likely to experience stroke. Ischaemic stroke has been found to develop in approximately 2-5% of patients in the first 1- 2 weeks after myocardial infarction Methods: Fifty patients with coronary artery disease admitted to the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Dhaka, were screened for presence of carotid atherosclerosis by duplex ultrasound study during the period of July 98 to August 98. Results: Carotid lesion were found in 34 patients (68%) and normal carotids found in 16 patients (32%). Age range of patients with and without carotid lesions was 56±5.39 yrs and 47±7.91 yrs respectively. Out of 34 patients, 30 were male (88.2%) and 4 were female (11.7%). 29 patients (85.3%) were smokers, 22 patients (64.7%) were hypertensive and 9 patients (26.4%) were diabetic. Dyslipidaemia was found in 16 patients (47%) and a history of transient ischaemic attack (TIA) was found in 10 patients (29.4%). A coexistent CAD on coronary (CAG) was found in 31 patients (91.1%). Conclusion: Cortaid duplex ultrasound study findings of atherosclerotic lesions in Carotid arteries are good predictors of CAD.