High-normal serum homocysteine concentrations are associated with an increased risk of early atherosclerotic carotid artery wall lesions in healthy subjects

Abstract

In healthy subjects, high-normal serum homocysteine concentrations are associated with an increased prevalence of carotid artery wall thickening. The significance of the contribution of homocysteine to the variation of carotid intima-media thickness, even at concentrations previously believed to be normal, suggests a role for homocysteine as an independent risk factor for early carotid artery atherosclerosis in the asymptomatic subjects.