Homocysteine-lowering fails to prevent CV events

The Buzz: A new study published in JAMA provides further evidence against the use of folic acid & B12 to prevent cardiovascular events
Citation: JAMA. 2010;303(24):2486-2494.
Summary: Elevated homocysteine has been found to be associated with increased risk for cardiovascular events (MI, stroke, revascularization, death) but lowering homocysteine levels has not been shown to improve outcomes. This double-blind, placebo-controlled study followed 12,064 British survivors of MI over an average of 6.7 years and found no reduction in CVD events for those on the vitamins. This is consistent with a 2009 Cochrane meta-analysis which included people with and without known CVD.
Commentary: While the more recent study was funded my Merck, who makes cholesterol-lowering drugs, the results are consistent with previous data and suggest we should not be recommending these vitamins for CVD prevention.
By: Spencer Blackman MD