M. Castellano et al., ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME I D POLYMORPHISM AND ARTERIAL-WALL THICKNESS IN A GENERAL-POPULATION - THE VOBARNO STUDY/, Circulation, 91(11), 1995, pp. 2721-2724
Background It has been reported that the D allele of an insertion/dele
tion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) g
ene is associated with conditions of increased cardiovascular risk, in
cluding left ventricular hypertrophy. Methods and Results Considering
that a genetically determined overactivity of the renin-angiotensin sy
stem may influence cardiac as well as vascular growth, we investigated
possible relations between ACE I/D genotype and carotid artery wall t
hickness (B-mode ultrasound) in 199 subjects, 50 to 64 years old, samp
led from the general population of Vobarno, a small town in northern I
taly. ACE DD genotype was associated with significantly higher common
carotid artery intima-media thickness (P=.003). The occurrence of caro
tid atherosclerotic plaques was similar in the different genotypes. Th
ere was no association of the ACE I/D genotype with blood pressure val
ues (either casual or 24-hour ambulatory monitored). Conclusions ACE D
D genotype may be considered a risk factor for the development of comm
on carotid intima-media thickening in our study population.