Angiotensin converting enzyme gene polymorphisms in patients with ischemicheart disease and hypertension

Aim. To study frequencies of genotypes and alleles of insertion/deletion (I /D) polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene in patient s with ischemic heart disease and hypertension. Method and material. Polymo rphism of ACE gene was studied by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 133 pa tients (41 men and 92 women) aged 35-87 (mean 66,3+/-0,9) years. Control gr oup comprised 66 healthy donors (15 men and 51 women) with mean age 56,1+/- 1,2 years. Results. Frequencies of ACE gene DD, DI, II genotypes and D and I alleles (0,21, 0,50, 0,29, 0,46, and 0,53, respectively) were similar to those observed in West-European populations. DD genotype and the D allele o f the ACE gene were associated with ischemic heart disease and myocardial i nfarction. There was no association between genotypes and alleles of the AC E gene and hypertension. Combination of hypertension with ischemic heart di sease was associated with DD genotype and the D allele along with significa nt reduction of occurrence of genotype II and the I allele. Conclusion. ide ntification of ACE gene polymorphism can be helpful in determination of pat ients with ischemic heart disease and hypertension at high risk of developm ent of myocardial infarction.