Relationship of Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis to Serum Homocysteine and Lipoprotein(a) in Elderly Patients with Hypertension

Objective To investigate the relationship between intima-media thickness(IMT) and levels of serum homocysteine(Hcy)and lipoprotein(a)[Lp(a)]in elderly patients with hypertension.Methods Sixty elderly hypertensive patients were divided into three groups according to the degree of carotid artery atherosclerosis:normal group(IMT≤0.9mm,n=16),thickening group(IMT1.0-1.2mm,n=19)and plaque formation group(IMT≥1.3mm,n=25).Levels of Lp(a)and Hcy were determined by emulsion turbidity method and chemiluminescence method using an automatic biochemical analyzer,respectively.Results Compared with normal group,Lp(a)and Hcy levels significantly increased in thickening group and plaque formation group(P 0.05).Compared with thickening group,Lp(a)and Hcy levels significantly increased in plaque formation group(P0.05).There was a positive relationship between Hcy and Lp(a)in thickening group and plaque formation group(r=0.65and 0.64,respectively;P0.05).Conclusion The degree of carotid artery atherosclerosis is closely correlated with serum levels of Hcy and Lp(a)in elderly patients with hypertension.