title: Polymorphism of the ACE gene is associated with extent and severity of coronary disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The progression and extent of coronary heart disease (CHD) are extremely variable and in many instances independent of conventional risk factors. The differences may be partly explained by less favorable genetic polymorphisms that are associated with them. The polymorphisms of the angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) gene have been thoroughly evaluated, but the connection between them and the extent of CHD is unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our study is aimed at determining whether any or all of the polymorphisms of the ACE gene are markers of the extent and severity of CHD.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a descriptive study of 296 patients with a history of myocardial infarction or with coronary disease confirmed by coronary angiography. The severity of CHD was quantified according to Leaman's score (based on the number of arteries with more than 75% reduction in diameter and the number of affected coronary segments). The ACE genotypes were determined by specific polymerase chain reaction amplification and the segments were subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The mean coronary score and standard deviation of the three polymorphisms were calculated and the values statistically compared using the Student's t test for independent samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  296 patients with a mean age of 55.103 years, 234 male, were evaluated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study clearly shows that the DD genotype is linked to the extent of CHD, with a high level of significance. If this is confirmed, careful secondary prevention is indicated in patients with this genotype.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Cardiologia Médico-Cirúirgica do Hospital Central do Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. dep.card@srs.pt
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mendonça
authors.forename: Isabel A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Freitas
authors.forename: Célia A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Faria
authors.forename: António
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Drumond
authors.forename: Graça
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Jorge J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.forename: Sónia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Freitas
authors.forename: Ilídio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ornelas
authors.forename: Graça
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.forename: Ana P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Coelho
authors.forename: P Marques
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Almada
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.forename: António A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Brehm
authors.forename: R Palma
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: dos Reis
mesh_terms: D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A