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Semin Thromb Hemost 2006; 32(7): 716-723
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-951456
Copyright © 2006 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Hyperhomocysteinemia and Venous Thromboembolism

Marco Cattaneo1
  • 1Hematology and Thrombosis Unit, Hospital San Paolo, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
06 October 2006 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Homocysteine (Hcy) is a sulfhydryl amino acid derived from the metabolic conversion of methionine, which is dependent on vitamins (folic acid, B12 and B6) as cofactors or cosubstrates. Severe hyperhomocysteinemia (homocystinuria), due to inherited metabolic defects of Hcy metabolism, is associated with very high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE); treatment with vitamins is associated with dramatic decrease of VTE risk. Several case-control and prospective studies showed that also mild/moderate hyperhomocysteinemia (which is caused by the interaction of environmental factors with mild genetic abnormalities of Hcy metabolism) is associated with heightened risk of VTE; however, it is uncertain whether treatment with vitamins also decreases the VTE risk in these patients.

KEYWORDS

Venous thrombosis - pulmonary embolism - hyperhomocysteinemia - homocystinuria - folate

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 Prof.
M. CattaneoM.D. 

Unità di Ematologia e Trombosi, Ospedale San Paolo - Università di Milano, Via di Rudinì

8, 20142 Milano, Italy

Email: marco.cattaneo@unimi.it