Insertion/deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme gene is associated with coronary artery plaque calcification as assessed by intravascular ultrasound

Department of Medicine, University of Tubingen, Germany. martin.pfohl@t-online.de

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the influence of the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene on coronary plaque morphology and calcification in patients with angiographically documented coronary artery disease (CAD). BACKGROUND: The ACE I/D polymorphism has been associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction in patients with the DD genotype but not with the presence of native CAD. METHODS: We studied 146 patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for stable angina pectoris by means of preinterventional intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Qualitative and quantitative criteria were used to classify the target lesions as poorly or highly echoreflective or as calcified. Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify the I/D polymorphism, with a second insertion-specific PCR in DD genotypes to prevent mistyping. RESULTS: The ACE genotype groups (DD 46, ID 68, II 32) were well matched for the basic characteristics. Patients with the DD genotype had significantly more calcified lesions (DD 80%, ID 57%, II 66%; unadjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30 to 6.92, p = 0.008) and more calcifications >180 degrees of the vessel circumference (DD 22%, ID 10%, II 6%; OR 2.80, 95% CI 1.05 to 7.63, p = 0.03). The prevalence of myocardial infarction was not significantly associated with coronary calcification (OR 1.44, 95% CI 0.72 to 2.88, p = 0.31). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CAD and the ACE DD genotype have a significantly higher incidence and greater extent of coronary lesion calcification, as determined by IVUS. This finding indicates that the ACE I/D gene polymorphism is related to the development or progression of atherosclerotic plaque calcification.

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