Evaluation of the aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) gene polymorphism in patients with myocardial infarction

Left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction involves activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Recently,the biallelic -344T/ C polymorphism of the aldosterone synthase gene was associated with increas ed aldosterone levels, arterial hypertension, diastolic dysfunction, and le ft ventricular dilatation. We hypothesized that this polymorphism may also affect left ventricular geometry and function after myocardial infarction. By using a standardized questionnaire, as well as anthropometric and echoca rdiographic measurements, we thus studied 606 patients (533 men and 73 wome n) who had a myocardial infarction before the age of 60 years. The aldoster one synthase gene polymorphism was analyzed after polymerase chain reaction amplification and restriction enzyme digestion. The results demonstrated t hat there was no association of the aldosterone synthase gene polymorphism with echocardiographically determined left ventricular dimensions, wall thi cknesses, or indexes of systolic or diastolic function. Furthermore, anthro pometric data, including blood pressure levels, were balanced between the d ifferent genotypes. Finally, the allele frequency was similar for patients with myocardial infarction and a sample group from the normal population (n =1675). The data indicate that the allele status of the aldosterone synthas e gene polymorphism is not useful for the identification of patients with m yocardial infarction who have impaired left ventricular function or unfavor able remodeling.