AF Risk Markers Identified...from Am Heart J 2004; 148 456-461

[Guest guest]

Came across this in my research and medical news........interesting

Lee

Two novel AF risk markers identified

Am Heart J 2004; 148: 456-461

An intriguing study suggests that high homocysteine levels and

vitamin B6 deficiency could act as new risk markers for nonvalvular

atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

The Italian investigation, conducted at the University of Florence,

was performed after earlier research showed that NVAF was associated

with enhanced activity of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) at atrium

level, and that homocysteine was able to activate these proteins.

Intrigued by this, Rossella Marcucci and colleagues studied 310

patients with NVAF on oral anticoagulant, 168 of whom had previous

ischemic events, and 310 controls.

The team found that hyperhomocysteinemia, in the highest quartile of

levels (=15.8 µmol/l), was independently associated with a 6.4-fold

increased odds of NVAF after adjusting for age, sex, and traditional

NVAF risk factors.

Similarly, low levels of vitamin B6, which is believed to lower

homocysteine levels, were also linked with NVAF, with deficiency

(<3.10 µg/l) associated with a 3.02-fold risk.

Marcucci et al also report that elevated homocysteine levels were

associated with an increase in left atrial diameter. NVAF patients

with ischemic events had higher homocysteine levels than those

without such events (15.4 vs 13.9 µmol/l), and elevated levels were

an independent risk factor for ischemic complications during NVAF,

increasing the odds 2.6-fold.

Writing in the American Heart Journal, the researchers believe that

homocysteine could increase the activity of MMPs, contributing to

NVAF and associated ischemic episodes, while low vitamin B6 levels,

linked with elevated C-reactive protein levels, may result in an

inflammatory state promoting the persistence of AF.

They suggest: " The present results prompt the investigation of the

role of homocysteine and vitamin B6 in low-risk NVAF patients usually

treated with antiplatelet therapy, also in the light of recent data

indicating that elevated homocysteine levels are an independent risk

factor for recurrent stroke. "

[Guest guest]

Homocysteine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in the body, but too

much of it has been associated with several kinds of heart problems, most

notably coronary artery disease. Not everybody agrees that this is the case

and if you " google " for homocysteine lots of info pops up.

Brenta

Re: AF Risk Markers Identified...from Am Heart J

2004; 148 456-461

>

>

>

>>

>> > Two novel AF risk markers identified

>> >

>> > Am Heart J 2004; 148: 456-461

>> >

>> > An intriguing study suggests that high homocysteine levels and

>> > vitamin B6 deficiency could act as new risk markers for

> nonvalvular

>> > atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

>>

>> Anyone know what raises homecysteine levels. For that matter,

> what IS

>> homocysteine? Thanks.

>> --

>> Kathleen Stept (Flecainide 100 bid, Diltiazem 120 mg, Coumadin

> 5mg, baby

>> aspirin), , Mississippi

>

>

> Homocysteine is a sulphur-containing amino acid. Some things that

> *may* raise levels: coffee, alcohol, smoking, obesity, people with

> Type 2 diabetes and high insulin levels (insulin appears to inhibit

> enzymes that play a role in homocysteine metabolism).

>

> Fortunately for most, adding Folic Acid in conjunction with B6 and

> B12 can effectively (and inexpensively) lower homocysteine levels,

> which ideally should be below 10 (umol/L). My level dropped from 22

> to 7.5 by taking a combination of the above. [unfortunately, I still

> developed afib!]

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com

> List owner: AFIBsupport-owner

> For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email,

> send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help

>

> Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or should

> be acted upon without consultation with one's physician.

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, ! Kathleen

> Homocysteine is a sulphur-containing amino acid. Some things that

> *may* raise levels: coffee, alcohol, smoking, obesity, people with

> Type 2 diabetes and high insulin levels (insulin appears to inhibit

> enzymes that play a role in homocysteine metabolism).

>

> Fortunately for most, adding Folic Acid in conjunction with B6 and

> B12 can effectively (and inexpensively) lower homocysteine levels,

> which ideally should be below 10 (umol/L). My level dropped from 22

> to 7.5 by taking a combination of the above. [unfortunately, I still

> developed afib!]

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I am very interested in this because I have been thinking about trying Sam-e

for depression. Evidently, it raises homcysteine levels. Thanks to you and

for the info.

--

Kathleen Stept (Flecainide 100mcg bid, Diltiazem 120 mg, Coumadin 5mg, baby

aspirin), , Mississippi

> Homocysteine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in the body, but too

> much of it has been associated with several kinds of heart problems, most

> notably coronary artery disease. Not everybody agrees that this is the case

> and if you " google " for homocysteine lots of info pops up.

>

> Brenta

>

> Re: AF Risk Markers Identified...from Am Heart J

> 2004; 148 456-461

>> >

>> > Homocysteine is a sulphur-containing amino acid. Some things that

>> > *may* raise levels: coffee, alcohol, smoking, obesity, people with

>> > Type 2 diabetes and high insulin levels (insulin appears to inhibit

>> > enzymes that play a role in homocysteine metabolism). snip

>>> >>

>> >

>> >

>> >

>