Genetic susceptibility to atrial fibrillation in patients with congestive heart failure.
BACKGROUND
Previous reports demonstrate an association between atrial fibrillation (AF) and certain polymorphisms in genes controlling the production of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS).


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the association between polymorphisms of ACE and eNOS gene complexes and AF in an unselected series of patients with congestive heart failure (CHF).


METHODS
In each of the 340 unselected, unrelated patients with CHF, common polymorphisms in ACE (I/D) and eNOS (T786C, G894T, and intron 4b/a) gene complexes were evaluated. Associations between individual genotypes and the presence of AF were assayed.


RESULTS
AF was present in 51 patients (15%) and was significantly associated with the ACE D/D (odds ratio 1.5) and eNOS 894 T/T genotypes (odds ratio 3.2). There were no significant associations between AF and eNOS 786 or eNOS intron 4 genotypes.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with CHF, the presence of AF was significantly associated with certain ACE and eNOS genotypes.
Bedi
Maninder
M
Cardiovascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
McNamara
Dennis
D
London
Barry
B
Schwartzman
David
D
D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007438:Introns; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000235:genetics*; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
D004247:DNA; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A