The significance of hyperhomocysteineamia in heart transplant patients / 中华器官移植杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate plasma homocystein (Hcy) level in cardiac transplant patients.Methods Fourteen cases of heart transplant patients were recruited in this study. Plasma Hcy levels were measured by using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and flow-mediated dilatation in brachial arteries detected with high-resolution ultrasound in all patients, while coronary artery angiography were performed in 7 patients.Results In 2 cases of heart transplant who had single coronary artery stenosis, the plasma Hcy levels were above 12 ?mol/L. The average plasma Hcy levels in heart transplant patients were higher than in health volunteers [( 13.47? 2.78) ?mol/L vs (9.26? 3.57) ?mol/L], and flow-mediated dilatation in brachial arteries of heart transplant patients was lower than that of health volunteers [( 8.2? 3.7) % vs ( 12.5? 1.6) %]. There was a linear correlation between levels of plasma Hcy and flow-mediated dilatation (r= -0.804). Conclusion Endothelial dysfunction in the heart transplant patents might be contributed to hyperhomocysteinemia which may be potential cause of transplant coronary artery disease.