Coronary Artery Disease: A Disease Review, an Examination of a Mechanism Involving the Risk Factor Homocysteine-Thiolactone, and a Case Study

Abstract

Coronary artery disease (CAD) presents itself with significant frequency in the human population across the globe. The acute condition affects in some form, almost half of the middle aged male population in the US. The chronic condition develops over time to finally evolve into the acute state which presents itself as chest pain and results in a myocardial infarction. The field of biochemistry has discovered a risk factor, homocystein thiolactone (Hcy-thiolactone), that plays a rule in exacerbating the chronic and acute processes of CAD. Mechanistic theory and experimentation reveals that Paraoxinase I is capable of negating Hcy-thiolactone’s pathologic effects. Manipulation of PON1 shows promise in reducing the risk of the acute phase of CAD development. A patient case study is provided that illustrations a common presentation of the acute condition. An understanding of the identification and treatment process with regard to the clinical appearance of CAD can greatly reduce morbidity.