Relationship between Hyperhomocysteinemia and Intracranial and Extracranial Artery Stenosis

Objective To study the relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia and intracranial and extracranial artery stenosis in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease. Methods A total of 90 patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease were analyzed retrospectively from June 2007 to December 2009. They were divided into intracranial and extracranial artery stenosis group and intracranial and extracranial artery stenosis group according to their DSA findings. Patients with intracranial and extracranial artery stenosis group were divided into simple intracranial stenosis group, simple extracranial stenosis group and both stenosis group according to stenosis location. The plasma homocystein (Hcy) concentrations in each group were analyzed. Results Mean plasma Hcy concentrations were significantly higher in patients with stenosis of intracranial or/and extracranial artery than that in patients without arterial stenosis (P0.01). Mean plasma Hcy concentrations were significantly higher in patients with simple intracranial stenosis group, simple extracranial stenosis group and both stenosis group than that in the patients without arterial stenosis (P0.01). Conclusion Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for the intracranial and extracranial artery stenosis.