BackgroundAssociation between angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphisms
and different clinical and echocardiographic outcomes has been described in
patients with heart failure (HF) and coronary artery disease. Studying the
genetic profile of the local population with both diseases is necessary to
assess the occurrence of that association.ObjectivesTo assess the frequency of ACE gene polymorphisms in patients with ischemic
HF in a Rio de Janeiro population, as well as its association with
echocardiographic findings.MethodsGenetic assessment of I/D ACE polymorphism in association with clinical,
laboratory and echocardiographic analysis of 99 patients.ResultsThe allele frequency was: 53 I alleles, and 145 D alleles. Genotype
frequencies were: 49.5% DD; 47.48% DI; 3.02% II. Drug treatment was
optimized: 98% on beta-blockers, and 84.8% on ACE inhibitors or
angiotensin-receptor blocker. Echocardiographic findings: difference between
left ventricular diastolic diameters (ΔLVDD) during follow-up:
2.98±8.94 (DD) vs. 0.68±8.12 (DI) vs. -11.0±7.00 (II),
p=0.018; worsening during follow-up of the LV systolic diameter (LVSD):
65.3% DD vs. 19.0% DI vs. 0.0% II, p=0.01; of the LV diastolic diameter
(LVDD): 65.3% DD vs. 46.8% DI vs. 0.0% II, p=0.03; and of the LV ejection
fraction (LVEF): 67.3% DD vs. 40.4% DI vs. 33.3% II, p=0.024. Correlated
with D allele: ΔLVEF, ΔLVSD, ΔLVDD.ConclusionsMore DD genotype patients had worsening of the LVEF, LVSD and LVDD, followed
by DI genotype patients, while II genotype patients had the best outcome.
The same pattern was observed for ΔLVDD.