Resumo

RODRIGUEZ MUTUBERRIA, Liván; SERRA VALDES, Yusimí  e  ALVAREZ GONZALEZ, Eduardo. Homocistinemia, factor de riesgo oculto en la enfermedad cerebrovascular isquémica: Presentación de un caso. Rev cubana med [online]. 2003, vol.42, n.5. ISSN 0034-7523.

Homocysteine and its metabolism have been studied since the 60´s. The relation existing between homocysteine, the development of atherosclerosis and vascular disease has also been considered. We present here a patient assisted at the International Center of Neurological Restoration with the diagnosis of ischemic cerebrovascular disease and ischemic cardiopathy in the absence of risk factors. A moderate elevation of the homocysteine levels in plasma was observed during the patient's study. The participation of homocysteine in the genesis of the vascular alterations affecting this patient was recognized. A brief review of the effects of amino-acids on blood vessels is included. Considering the treatment of this phenomenon, it has been suggested that folic acid combined with vitamines B6 and B12 produce a decrease of homocysteine in plasma. In the case presented here, treatment with 5 mg of folic acid associated with complex - B type vitamins was started.

Palavras-chave : Homocysteine; homocystinuria; atherosclerosis; atherosclerotic artheriopaty.