Plasma homocysteine levels in patients with isolated coronary artery ectasia

OBJECTIVE: Hyperhomocysteinemia is recognized as an independent risk factor for arterial disease including coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease and peripheral vascular disease. Previously, an association between increased plasma homocysteine level and peripheral arterial aneurysms has been reported. However, the relationship between coronary artery ectasia (CAE) and plasma homocysteine level has not been investigated. Accordingly, this study was designed to investigate plasma homocysteine level in patients with isolated CAE. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with isolated CAE without significant stenosis and 30 control subjects with angiographically normal coronary arteries were included in this study. Fasting plasma homocysteine concentrations were measured by Fluorescence Polarization Immunoassay method using homocysteine kids. Hyperhomocysteinemia is defined as plasma homocysteine levels above the 95th percentile of the control subjects (13.6 mumol/l). RESULTS: According to the definition of hyperhomocysteinemia, 19 (59%) of patients with isolated CAE had elevated levels of plasma homocysteine compared to 2 (7%) in the control subjects with angiographically normal coronary arteries (p<0.001). In addition, patients with isolated CAE had significantly higher levels of plasma homocysteine compared to control subjects (14.9+/-4.5 micromol/l vs. 8.6+/-1.9 micromol/l respectively, p<0.001). Besides, we detected a significant positive correlation between the number of ectasic segment and plasma homocysteine level (r=0.537, p=0.002). CONCLUSION: We have shown for the first time an association between elevated plasma homocysteine level and isolated CAE. Larger prospective studies are needed to confirm the role of hyperhomocysteinemia in CAE and to evaluate the usefulness of homocysteine-lowering therapies.     

Plasma total homocysteine and cysteine levels as cardiovascular risk factors in coronary heart disease

OBJECTIVES: As an important risk factor for coronary atherosclerosis, elevated plasma total homocysteine (t-hcy) concentration has recently received greater attention than have conventional risk factors. Though less reactive than homocysteine, cysteine (cys) is the most abundant plasma thiol and may function as an extracellular regulating factor of thiol/disulfide exchange in order to maintain an adequate redox status. An increase in the total amount of this compound may be noxious depending on environmental conditions. In the present study, the aim was to investigate changes of plasma total cysteine, homocysteine and other determinants in different types of coronary heart disease. DESIGN AND METHODS: Plasma total homocysteine (t-hcy), cysteine (t-cys), cysteinylglycine (t-cysgly), folic acid, vitamin B(12), lipid parameters, total protein, albumin and creatinine levels were studied in plasma from 68 patients with coronary heart disease and 42 healthy controls. After reduction of disulfide bonds with tri-n-buthylphosphine, plasma total thiols were assayed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and fluorescence detection following derivatization of sulfhydryl groups with 7-fluoro-benzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole-4-sulfonate (SBD-F). Other parameters were determined by using commercial kits. RESULTS: Plasma t-hcy and t-cys levels were higher in patients (P<0.0001) than in controls, but t-cysgly was unchanged. Hcy and cys levels were correlated with age in the whole study population (r=0.49, r=0.46, P<0.01). Plasma t-hcy positively correlated with plasma t-cys (r=0.53, P<0.01) and t-cysgly (r=0.49, P<0.01) in patients, and with plasma t-cys (r=0.57, P<0.01) in controls. Postmenopausal women had higher t-cys and t-hcy levels than premenopausal women among the controls (P<0.01). Folate and vitamin B(12) levels were similar in both patients and controls. Patients with vitamin B(12) levels below normal had higher plasma t-cys and t-cysgly levels (P<0.05). Interestingly, control subjects with lower vitamin B(12) levels had lower plasma t-hcy levels (P<0.05). Plasma total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, total protein, albumin and creatinine levels in patients and controls were within the normal range, but only HDL-cholesterol levels in patients were lower than in controls (P<0.0001). Triglyceride and VLDL levels of patients were also higher than those of controls (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Higher plasma total cysteine levels are as important as higher plasma total homocysteine levels. Both parameters are intercorrelated and may act synergistically. To discern their respective roles in atherosclerotic disease, these aminothiol levels have to be considered together.     

Plasma homocysteine levels and the left ventricular systolic function in coronary artery disease patients

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have shown a relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia, atherothrombosis and cardiovascular mortality. However, an association between hyperhomocysteinemia and the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) remains controversial whereas its relationship with left ventricular systolic function has not been established. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-seven patients with angiographically defined CAD were included. The relationships between hyperhomocysteinemia, severity of CAD and left ventricular systolic function were studied. Left ventricular systolic function was determined primarily by ventriculography. The severity of CAD was determined through coronary angiography using the Gensini score and the number of vessels with > or = 50% stenosis. RESULTS: The mean fasting plasma homocysteine level was 13.4 mumol/l+/-0.5 SE. Elevated levels of homocysteine correlated significantly with increased severity of CAD both by the Gensini scores (r-value = 0.344, P < 0.0005) and the total number of diseased vessels (r-value = 0.387, P < 0.0005). The patients with hyperhomocysteinemia were found to have significantly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (r-value = -0.382, P < 0.0005). A multivariate regression analysis revealed homocysteine level to be an independent predictor of left ventricular systolic function. In addition, adjusted analysis revealed hyperhomocysteinemia to be associated with global left ventricular dysfunction. CONCLUSION: In patients with CAD, homocysteine levels correlate independently with left ventricular systolic function. The mechanism of this association between homocysteine and left ventricular systolic function is unknown but may be due to a direct effect of homocysteine on myocardial function separate from its effects on coronary atherosclerosis.     

Plasma total homocysteine levels in postmenopausal women with unstable coronary artery disease

An elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) level is considered a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), but the relationship between plasma tHcy and well-defined CAD in women is still unclear. Plasma tHcy concentrations and the covariates serum folate, vitamin B12, and creatinine were analysed in 157 angiographically examined postmenopausal women with unstable CAD and in 101 healthy controls. At coronary angiography, 16% had normal vessels and 84% had coronary atherosclerosis. Mean plasma tHcy concentration (micromol/l, 95% confidence interval) did not differ in patients compared to controls (13.1 (12.3-13.8) vs. 12.5 (11.6-13.5)) or in patients with or without coronary atherosclerosis (13.3 (12.4-14.1) vs. 12.0 (10.8-13.2)). A trend to an increasing plasma tHcy with increasing degree of coronary atherosclerosis was attenuated after adjustment for age and the previous mentioned covariates. Odds ratio for the risk of coronary artery disease and coronary atherosclerosis in hyperhomocysteinemic patients (> or =90th percentile in controls) was approximately 3. However, the confidence interval included unity in half of the groups and the significance was therefore difficult to judge. Receiver operating characteristics showed age to be the only variable with a significant discriminatory ability regarding the presence of coronary atherosclerosis (area 0.77). Mild hyperhomocysteinemia seems not to be related to the risk of unstable CAD in postmenopausal women. The trend towards higher plasma tHcy with increasing degree of coronary atherosclerosis may be a marker of the disease. In future studies adjustment for age and the other three covariates should be considered.     

Plasma homocysteine predicts mortality independently of traditional risk factors and C-reactive protein in patients with angiographically defined coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND: Plasma homocysteine (tHCY) has been associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). We tested whether tHCY also increases secondary risk, after initial CAD diagnosis, and whether it is independent of traditional risk factors, C-reactive protein (CRP), and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genotype. METHODS AND RESUTLS: Blood samples were collected from 1412 patients with severe angiographically defined CAD (stenosis >/=70%). Plasma tHCY was measured by fluorescence polarization immunoassay. The study cohort was evaluated for survival after a mean of 3.0+/-1.0 years of follow-up (minimum 1.5 years, maximum 5.0 years). The average age of the patients was 65+/-11 years, 77% were males, and 166 died during follow-up. Mortality was greater in patients with tHCY in tertile 3 than in tertiles 1 and 2 (mortality 15.7% versus 9.6%, P:=0.001 [log-rank test], hazard ratio [HR] 1.63). The relative hazard increased 16% for each 5-micromol/L increase in tHCY (P:<0.001). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, controlling for univariate clinical and laboratory predictors, elevated tHCY remained predictive of mortality (HR 1.64, P:=0.009), together with age (HR 1. 72 per 10-year increment, P:<0.0001), ejection fraction (HR 0.84 per 10% increment, P:=0.0001), diabetes (HR 1.98, P:=0.001), CRP (HR 1. 42 per tertile, P:=0.004), and hyperlipidemia. Homozygosity for the MTHFR variant was weakly predictive of tHCY levels but not mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with angiographically defined CAD, tHCY is a significant predictor of mortality, independent of traditional risk factors, CRP, and MTHFR genotype. These findings increase interest in tHCY as a secondary risk marker and in secondary prevention trials (ie, with folate/B vitamins) to determine whether reduction in tHCY will reduce risk.     

老年疑诊冠心病患者冠心病的危险因素以及冠状动脉病变程度的相关因素

目的 探讨老年（≥60岁）疑诊冠心病患者的冠心病危险因素及其冠状动脉病变严重程度的相关因素。方法 选择我中心首次行诊断性冠状动脉造影（CAG）的老年疑诊冠心病患者4732例。根据CAG结果分为冠心病组（3539例）和非冠心病组（1193例）。冠状动脉病变程度特点用Gensini积分和主要血管受累支数进行评价。采用多元线性回归和logistic回归进行数据分析。结果 ①多元线性回归分析表明Gensini积分与患者年龄、男性、高血压病、高脂血症、糖尿病、慢性肾脏病及空腹血糖水平呈独立正相关,与血清总胆红素呈独立负相关。②多元线性回归分析表明病变支数与患者年龄、吸烟、男性、高血压病、高脂血症、糖尿病、慢性肾脏病、脑血管病及空腹血糖水平呈独立正相关,与血清总胆红素呈独立负相关。③二分类多因素Logistic分析显示,糖尿病是冠状动脉造影诊断冠心病最显著的独立相关危险因素（OR=2.591,95% CI:1.942-3.458,P<0.01）,其他危险因素依次为男性、高血压病、吸烟、慢性肾脏病、高脂血症和年龄,总胆红素为其独立保护因素（OR=0.960, 95% CI:0.941-0.979,P<0.01）。结论 糖尿病是现阶段老年住院疑诊冠心病患者冠状动脉造影诊断冠心病最显著的独立相关危险因素,总胆红素水平为其独立相关保护因素。     

Elevated plasma homocysteine levels in patients with isolated coronary artery ectasia

OBJECTIVE: Coronary artery ectasia is a variant of coronary atherosclerosis. Hyperhomocysteinemia has emerged as a major, independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The purposes of this study were to determine plasma hyperhomocysteine levels in patients with coronary artery ectasia, and to compare patients with coronary artery ectasia, coronary artery disease, and controls with normal coronary angiogram. METHOD: The study population included 37 patients with coronary artery ectasia and 36 patients with coronary artery disease. The control group consisted of 32 patients with angiographically proven normal coronary arteries. Plasma hyperhomocysteine levels were measured in all study patients with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Plasma homocysteine levels were significantly higher in patients with both coronary artery ectasia and coronary artery disease than in the controls (14.8+/-1.1 and 15.9+/-0.8 vs. 2.5+/-0.6 micromol/l; P<0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). No significant differences in plasma homocysteine levels were found among CAE and CAD groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated that patients with coronary artery ectasia and coronary artery disease have increased plasma hyperhomocysteine levels compared with the controls. These findings suggest that hyperhomocysteinemia may play an important role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery ectasia as in coronary artery disease.     

Outcome in high risk patients with unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis treated with percutaneous coronary intervention

Objective : We examined mortality, risk of myocardial infarction (MI), and target lesion revascularization (TLR) in high‐risk patients with unprotected left main (LM) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in Western Denmark. Background : PCI of left main coronary artery lesions may be an alternative to coronary artery bypass grafting in high‐risk surgical patients. Methods : From January 2005 to May 2007, all patients who had unprotected LM PCI with stent implantation were identified in the Western Denmark Heart Registry. The indications for PCI were: (1) ST segment elevation MI (STEMI), (2) non‐STEMI (NSTEMI) or unstable angina, and (3) stable angina. All patients were followed up for 18 months. Results : A total of 344 patients were treated with LM PCI (STEMI: 71, NSTEMI/unstable angina: 157, and stable angina: 116). In STEMI patients, the median logistic EuroSCORE was 22.5 (interquartile range 12.5–39.5), in non‐STEMI (NSTEMI)/unstable angina patients 13.8 (4.8–23.9), and in stable angina patients 4.8 (2.2–10.4). Mortality after 18 months 38.0, 18.5, and 11.2% (P < 0.001) in patients with STEMI, NSTEMI/unstable angina, and stable angina, respectively. MI after 18 months was 9.9, 6.4, and 6.0% (P = ns), respectively. Four subacute and one late definite stent thrombosis were seen. TLR occurred in 5.6, 4.5, and 6.9% (P = ns) of patients, respectively. Conclusion : After PCI, patients with STEMI and LM culprit lesion have a high‐mortality risk, whereas long‐term outcome for patients with NSTEMI and stable angina pectoris is comparable with other high surgical risk patients with unprotected left main lesion. Further, TLR rates and risk of stent thrombosis were low. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Pericatheterization risk factors in left main coronary artery stenosis

Patients with left main (LM) coronary artery disease (CAD) have an unexplained high incidence of complications during diagnostic cardiac catheterization. This study identifies pericatheterization risk factors for major complications in patients with LM CAD (stenosis at least 50%). Complications were defined as ventricular fibrillation not related temporally to coronary injection, persistent angina, acute myocardial infarction, profound hypotension and death during or within 24 hours of catheterization. One hundred seven consecutive cases of LM CAD (11 with complications and 96 without) were reviewed with respect to variables potentially related to complications. Patients who had angina in the 24 hours before catheterization were at increased risk. Four of 13 patients with angina (31%) and 7 of 94 (7%) without angina had complications (p less than 0.05). Distance from the catheter tip to the lesion also was related to complications (9 of 38 [24%] with tip 6.0 mm or less from lesion and 2 of 65 [3%] with tip more than 6.0 mm from lesion, p less than 0.05). No relaxation was found between complications and New York Heart Association functional class, technique (femoral vs brachial), performance of ventriculography, number of coronary injections, amount of contrast injected, severity of LM stenosis, number of major arteries with 75% or more diameter stenosis, mean arterial pressure, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and left ventricular ejection fraction.     

冠状动脉病变程度与冠心病危险因素的相关性

目的:探讨冠状动脉病变程度与冠心病危险因素的相关性。方法: 入选2010年1月～6月在武汉大学人民医院行冠状动脉造影的患者324例,其中确诊冠心病患者264例,排除冠心病者60例。冠脉病变程度由病变支数及病变Gensini总积分表示。收集患者性别、年龄、高血压病史、糖尿病病史、吸烟量（支数X年）、体质指数（BMI）、胆固醇（TC）、三酰甘油（TG）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）、心率（HR）、QT间期离散度（QTd）、病变冠脉支数、Gensini总积分,采用多因素和单因素分析。结果: 单因素分析显示,在病变程度不同的各组间比较,随各组中单个危险因素病例百分率的增加,冠状动脉造影病变支数和病变Gensini总积分随之增加。多因素logistic回归分析（前进法）显示,QTd增大为冠心病病变程度的最显著的独立危险因素（OR=4.2,95%CI 3.8,4.4,P<0.01）,其他危险因素依次为低HDL-C、BMI增大、吸烟、增龄、糖尿病、高LDL-C、高血压病、高TC、高TG、HR增加和男性。结论: QTd增大为冠心病病变程度的最显著的独立相关因素,其他危险因素如低HDL-C、BMI增大、吸烟、增龄、糖尿病、高LDL-C、高血压病、高TC、高TG、心率增加和男性亦不能忽视。     

可疑冠心病患者肾动脉狭窄发病率及其危险因素的观察

目的 :观察可疑冠心病患者肾动脉狭窄 （RAS）发病率及其危险因素。方法 :对连续 184例可疑冠心病患者行冠状动脉造影的同时行肾动脉造影检查 ,观察该组人群 RAS的发病率及危险因素。结果 :病理资料完整患者 177例。RAS43例 （2 4.3 % ） ,其中狭窄≥ 50 % 2 2例 （12 .4% ）。冠脉造影正常或轻度病变患者 73例 ,RAS13例 （17.8% ） ,其中狭窄≥ 50 % 5例 （6.8% ）。冠脉造影异常患者 10 4例 ,RAS 3 0例 （2 8.8% ） ,其中狭窄≥ 50 % 17例（16.3 % ）。单支、多支病变患者 RAS≥ 50 %分别为 0、17例 （2 1.8% ）差异显著 （P<0 .0 5）。经单变量和多变量 L ogis-tic回归分析 ,RAS独立预测因子为年龄≥ 65岁 （OR=1.0 72 ,95% CI:1.0 3 0～ 1.0 16,P<0 .0 1）及冠脉多支病变（OR=1.3 56,95% CI:1.0 0 4～ 1.83 0 ,P<0 .0 5）。结论 :可疑冠心病患者中 ,RAS发病率为 2 4.3 % ,其中狭窄≥50 % 2 2例 （12 .4% ）。 RAS预测因子为老龄及多支冠脉病变     

Plasma homocysteine levels in acute coronary syndromes

Hyperhomocysteinemia is currently regarded as an independent and modifiable risk factor for ischemic vascular diseases and thrombosis. We measured fasting plasma total homocysteine levels by HPLC with fluorescence detection in 30 patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes and 30 age and sex-matched control subjects. Demographic data, classical risk factors (systolic blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, smoking, ethanol intake, family history of ischaemic heart disease) and life-style habits were recorded. Lipid fractions including total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio, serum creatinine, LDL-cholesterol and vitamins involved in the metabolism of homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B12 were also assessed. Total fasting homocysteine concentrations were significantly higher in the patient group (12.2 +/- 1.01 micromol/l) than in the control subjects (7.05 +/- 0.36 micromol/l; p < 0.0001). Homocysteine correlated positively with age (r = 0.617; p < 0.01) and serum creatinine (r = 0.457; p < 0.01) in the patient group. Hyperhomocysteinemia was not associated with vitamin B12 or folate deficiency states. Vitamin B12 concentration was 273 +/- 16.4 ng/l in the control group and 284.3 +/- 32.2 ng/l in the patient group (p = NS). Serum folate concentration also was not significantly different between controls and patients; 7.57 +/- 0.58 microg/l and 8.05 +/- 0.72 microg/l, respectively. Since no significant difference was observed in the lipid parameters between patients and controls, the hyperhomocysteinemia in the patient group supports the view that homocysteine is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Our results strongly suggest that elevated homocysteine levels are among the interacting factors in the complex, multifactorial pathophysiology of ischemic heart disease.     

冠状动脉狭窄程度与冠心病危险因素的相关性分析

目的探讨冠状动脉狭窄程度与冠心病危险因素的相关性。方法连续性收集我科行冠状动脉造影的患者121例,根据造影结果,将患者分为冠心病组89例与对照组32例。收集2组患者临床、实验室和影像学资料,采用单因素和多因素logistic回归模型进行分析。结果冠心病组男性、糖尿病、吸烟比例和LDL-C水平均高于对照组,HDL-C水平低于对照组(P<0.05);多因素logistic回归分析示,糖尿病(OR=3.769,P=0.042)、LDL-C水平(OR=1.873,P=0.021)是冠心病的独立危险因素。中、重度冠状动脉狭窄患者吸烟比例均高于轻度狭窄者,中度狭窄患者男性比例、年龄与尿酸水平和重度狭窄患者高血压、糖尿病比例均高于轻度狭窄者,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);logistic回归分析示,年龄(OR=1.094,P=0.001)、高血压(OR=3.340,P=0.003)、糖尿病(OR=3.877,P=0.003)和吸烟(OR=4.536,P=0.003)与冠状动脉狭窄程度相关。结论冠心病的危险因素与冠状动脉狭窄程度存在显著相关性,其中糖尿病是两者共同的重要危险因素。     

Changes of homocysteine levels and arterial endothelial function in patients with high risk of coronary artery disease after 6-month folic acid supplementation

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess whether folic acid supplementation could produce longer-term (6-month) improvements in homocysteine levels and arterial endothelial function in patients with a high risk (3 or more traditional risk factors) of coronary artery disease (CAD) and hyperhomocysteinaemia. METHODS: Thirty-one adults with 3 or more traditional risk factors of CAD and hyperhomocysteinaemia were selected, without CAD (the criterion of CAD is that more than one main vessel has an obstruction > or = 50%) by coronary angiography. All subjects were given folic acid (5 mg/day) for 6 months. Fasting plasma homocysteine levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Plasma folic acid and vitamin B12 levels were measured with immunoassay. Arterial endothelial function was measured as flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery using high-resolution B-mode ultrasound. RESULTS: Folic acid supplementation for 6 months was associated with a significant increase in mean (+/- SD) plasma levels of folic acid (4.6 +/- 1.4 microg/l to 9.1 +/- 2.5 microg/l; P < 0.01) and a significant decline in homocysteine levels (18.3 +/- 3.9 micromol/l to 11.5 +/- 2.8 micromol/l; P < 0.01). Flow-mediated dilation also improved significantly, from 6.8% +/- 2.1% to 8.9% +/- 1.7% (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that long-term (6-month) folic acid administration significantly declines homocysteine levels and improves arterial endothelial function and has potential implications for the prevention of atherosclerosis in adults with 3 or more traditional risk factors of CAD and hyperhomocysteinaemia.     

青年冠心病患者冠状动脉病变特点及相关危险因素分析

目的探讨冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病(冠心病)的临床特点在青年与老年患者间的差异。方法回顾性分析48例青年冠心病患者与156例老年冠心病患者的临床资料,着重分析比较两组的危险因素及冠状动脉造影结果。结果青年组冠心病患者女性比例占6.25%(3/48),明显低于老年组的33.33%(52/156),差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。青年组体质量指数明显高于老年组,差异有统计学意义[(27.03±2.73)kg/m2vs.(25.16±3.05)kg/m2,P0.01]。青年组大量吸烟的比例也远高于老年组,差异有统计学意义[75.00%(36/48)vs.36.54%(57/156),P0.01]。老年组合并原发性高血压、糖尿病的发生率高于青年组,差异有统计学意义[51.28%(80/156)vs.16.67%(8/48),P0.01;30.77%(48/156)vs.6.25%(3/48),P0.01]。青年组血浆总胆固醇,低密度脂蛋白胆固醇及三酰甘油浓度与老年组比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。青年组高密度脂蛋白胆固醇浓度低于老年组,差异有统计学意义[(0.85±1.80)mmol/Lvs.(1.08±0.23)mmol/L,P0.01]。青年组血浆尿酸浓度高于老年组,差异有统计学意义[(349.10±67.02)mmol/lvs.(323.77±73.82)mmol/L,P0.01]。青年组冠状动脉病变以单支病变为主,且左前降支病变发生率最高。结论男性、肥胖、大量吸烟为青年冠心病主要发病危险因素,低高密度脂蛋白胆固醇浓度和高尿酸浓度也可能为青年冠心病的危险因素;青年冠状动脉病变轻,以单支病变为主。     

Fibrinogen and homocysteine levels in coronary artery disease

Conventional risk factors like high serum cholesterol, smoking and hypertension do not explain all the mortality and morbidity due to coronary artery disease in Indian population. Novel factors like plasma fibrinogen and homocysteine have been currently recognised as independent risk factors for coronary artery disease. A case-control study was carried out to examine the role of plasma fibrinogen, homocysteine, lipid profile and anthropometric parameters in angiographically established coronary artery disease patients. The relationship between the biochemical and anthropometric parameters was also examined. Fifty-eight male patients in the age range of 35-60 years with angiographically established coronary artery disease and equal number of matched-controls were the subjects of this study. Cases with coronary artery disease had significantly higher waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-thigh ratio, plasma fibrinogen and total cholesterol. Mean plasma total homocysteine levels were not significantly different between cases and controls. In Indian population, elevated plasma fibrinogen and abdominal obesity appear to be significantly associated with coronary artery disease.