Lack of association between ACE gene polymorphism and left ventricular hypertrophy in essential hypertension

The possible association between the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) gene and left ventricular hype rtrophy (LVH) was investigated in a group of essential hypertensive patient s. Seventy-one essential hypertensive patients (35 men and 36 women), aged 51 +/- 1 years, were genotyped by PCR for the I/D polymorphism of the ACE g ene. Cardiac morphology and function were assessed by means of M-mode echoc ardiography. The relative frequencies of the three genotypes, on, DI, and I I, were respectively: 24%, 55%, and 21%. Mean values of left ventricular ma ss index were 145, 144, and 150 g/m(2) for DD, DI, and II genotypes, withou t significant differences among them (P = 0.82). Likewise, the prevalence o f LVH (76%, 64%, and 87%) was not significantly different among the three g enotypes (P = 0.23). We conclude that the ACE gene I/D polymorphism is not associated with LVH in essential hypertension.