Atherosclerosis and Folic Acid Supplementation Trial - ASFAST

Jul 28, 2006
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Date Published:
01/01/2006
Date Updated:
07/28/2006
Original Posted Date:
07/28/2006
References

Description:

The goal of the study was to evaluate the effect of folic acid compared with placebo on cardiovascular (CV) disease and atheroma progression among patients with end-stage renal disease.

Study Design

Study Design:

Patients Enrolled: 315
Mean Follow Up: Median 3.6 years
Mean Patient Age: Mean age 57 years
Female: 32

Patient Populations:

Age >18 years with chronic renal failure of any cause, serum creatinine ≥0.40 mmol/l (creatinine clearance <25 ml/min), and either awaiting dialysis or already treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, intermittent peritoneal dialysis, or hemodialysis

Primary Endpoints:

Change in the rate of progression of mean maximum carotid artery IMT; composite of MI, stroke, or death from CV cause

Secondary Endpoints:

MI, stroke, unstable angina, revascularization, and peripheral vascular disease

Drug/Procedures Used:

Patients were randomized to folic acid (15 mg per day; n = 156) or placebo (n = 159). Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) measurements were obtained annually.

Principal Findings:

At study entry, 65.4% of the folic acid group and 56.6% of the placebo group were on hemodialysis. Total plasma homocysteine was 27 µmol/l in both groups at baseline. Folic acid supplements were used at entry in 35% of patients.

Total plasma homocysteine was reduced in the folic acid group by 19%. At baseline, mean maximum carotid IMT was 1.06 mm in the folic acid group and 1.08 mm in the placebo group. There was no difference in change in IMT from baseline between treatment groups (-0.020 for folic acid and 0.030 for placebo; p=NS).

For the clinical primary endpoint of first CV death, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke, there was also no difference between treatment groups (6.7 per 100 patient-years for the folic acid group vs. 8.2 per 100 patient-years for the placebo group, p = 0.75). Likewise, there was no difference in the secondary endpoint of first CV event or CV death (9.6 per 100 patient-years for the folic acid group vs. 11.7 per 100 patient-years for the placebo group, p = 0.52). Adverse events leading to study drug discontinuation occurred in 25% of the folic acid group and 18% of the placebo group.

Interpretation:

Among patients with chronic renal disease, treatment with folic acid supplements was not associated with a difference in atheroma progression or CV events compared with placebo at a mean follow-up of 3.6 years.

Prior observation studies suggested a link between hyperhomocysteinemia and CV disease in patients with chronic renal failure, which led the authors to evaluate whether using folic acid to lower plasma homocysteine levels would reduce atheroma progression and CV events. Despite a reduction in plasma homocysteine levels, there was no difference in IMT thickness or CV events, suggesting the link between lower plasma homocysteine levels and outcomes may not be causal in this population. Other studies in patients with coronary heart disease have also shown no reduction in CV events with folic acid, despite reductions in homocysteine levels.

References:

Zoungas S, McGrath BP, Branley P, et al. Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the Atherosclerosis and Folic Acid Supplementation Trial (ASFAST) in chronic renal failure: a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial. J Am Coll Cardiol 2006;47:1108-16.

Keywords: Myocardial Infarction, Stroke, Plaque, Atherosclerotic, Carotid Intima-Media Thickness, Kidney Failure, Chronic, Coronary Disease, Creatinine, Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory, Renal Dialysis, Homocysteine, Hyperhomocysteinemia, Folic Acid, Peritoneal Dialysis, Renal Insufficiency, Chronic


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