Effect of folic acid on endothelial function following acute myocardial infarction.

The aim of this study was to test the influence of high-dose folic acid (10 mg/d) on endothelial function in patients referred for coronary intervention after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and determine its relation to homocysteine levels. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery was performed in 40 patients after AMI (16 with normal homocysteine levels and 24 patients with elevated levels [>11 micromol/L]). Subjects were randomized to receive first folic acid (10 mg/day; group A) or placebo (group B) for 6 weeks in a double-blind crossover trial with a 2-week washout.