Lopez-Contreras J, Blanco F, Borras X, Carreras F, et al
Relation between deletion polymorphism of the ACE gene and
left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive treated men
12th Annual ASH Meeting
Am J Hypertens
(Apr) 10:59A 1997
The ACE deletion/deletion (DD) genotype may be associated with an
elevated risk of LVH. The present study was designed to
determine if this relationship occurs in middle-age men with
treated essential hypertension.
96 consecutive male patients
age under 70 participated in the study. ACE genotype was
determined by PCR and patients classified on the basis of their
ACE genotype as deletion/deletion (DD), deletion/insertion (DI)
or insertion/insertion (II). Left ventricular mass was determined
by blinded observers. 13 patients were excluded (11 because of a
poor echographic window, 1 because of significative aortic
insufficiency and 1 because of dilated cardiomyopathy). Clinical
characteristics, LVM index (LVMI) and relative wall thickness
(RWT) among the 3 groups were compared by analysis of variance
followed by the Tukey test. Of the 83 evaluable patients, 39 had
the DD, 33 the DI, and 11 the II genotype.
Duration of
hypertension was longer in the DI subgroup. No differences were
noted among the 3 groups in severity of hypertension, duration of
treatment, number of antihypertensive drugs, BP control,
LVMI, or RWT. The authors conclude that ACE genotype in middle
age men with treated essential hypertension does not predict the
extent of left ventricular hypertrophy.
Comment: ACE gene polymorphism is being extensively investigated
and in some studies can be correlated with propensity to end-
organ damage. However, these authors failed to find an
association with cardiac structural abnormalities. The clinical
importance of genotyping hypertensive patients is at present
unclear.
(David J. Leehey, M.D., Loyola University at Chicago)
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12th Annual ASH Meeting
H: Pathophysiology :
Genetics
H: Pathophysiology :
Heart in hypertension