Abstract: Objective To investigate the level of plasma total homocysteine(Hcy),the carotid intima-media thickness(IMT)and relationship of the plasma Hcy and carotid atherosclerosis in hypertensive patients.Methods Sixty patients with hypertension and sixty health controls were measured for carotid IMT and the level of plasma total Hcy.Results The level of plasma total Hcy and the carotid IMT in hypertensive patients increased significantly compared with that of the controls.The level of plasma total Hcy increased with the severity of the carotid plaque.The carotid IMT was correlated with age,cholesterol,low-density cholesterol,systolic blood pressure(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion The average carotid IMT is correlated with the level of plasma Hcy in hypertensive patients;the level of plasma total Hcy,age,cholesterol,low-density cholesterol,systolic blood pressure are the important risk factors of carotid atherosclerosis.

Key words: hypertension, homocysteine, carotid atherosclerosis, carotid intima-media thickness