THE STUDY OF HOMOCYSTEINE LEVEL IN CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE PATIENTS; ITS RELATION TO ENDOTHELlAL, DYSFUNCTION

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in chronic renal failure, with increased risk of mayocardial ischaemia and infarction compared with control populations. Hyperhomocysteinaemia is proved to be an independent risk factor for vascular disease in general population. Multiple factors affect homocysteine level in chronic renal failure patients. An impor1ant question is not answered till now that is; this cardiovascular morbidity as well as endothelial dysfunction frequently encountered in uraemic patients; abnormal homocysteine level may be the missing link. The aim of this study was to answer this question i.e. to study the level homoycsteine in uraemic patients and the per cent of vWF as a marker for endothelial dysfunction. This study was conducted on 30 chronic renal failure patients with variable degrees of renal impairment. They were compared to I 0 healthy individuals. All subjects were subjected to complete history taking, stressing on cardiovscular risk factors and complaints. Thorough clinical examination was done. Routine laboratory tests were done including; urea, creatinine, creatinine clearance and serum albumin.