The Role of the I/D Polymorphism of the ACE Gene in the Development of Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

To study associations of I / D polymorphism of the ACE gene with risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) with the aim of detecting groups of patients prone to development of this disease. We examined 90 probands with confirmed diagnosis of AF and 144 their I, II, III degrees relatives. These families constituted a core group of our study. The control group comprised 100 relatively healthy people without history of cardiovascular diseases. Methods used in all patients included clinical examination, electrocardiography, echocardiography, Holter ECG monitoring, veloergometry, transesophageal left atrial pacing, molecular-genetic tests. We found statistically significant predominance of genotype II homozygous carriers among probands with primary AF compared with the control group (30.0±7.2 % and 14.0±3.5 %, respectively; p=0.028). Homozygous carriers of DD genotype statistically significantly prevailed in the control group compared with group of probands with primary AF (36.0±4.8 % and 15.0 %±5.6 %; p=0.014). Carriers of homozygous genotype II for common allele statistically significantly prevailed among probands with secondary AF compared with the control group (34.0±6.7 % and 14.0±3.5 %, respectively; p=0.004). Homozygous carriers of DD genotype for the rare allele statistically significantly prevailed among control subjects compared to probands with secondary AF (36.0±4.8 % and 10.0 %±4.2 %, respectively; p=0.001). Thus, compared with controls statistically significant preponderance of carriers of homozygous genotype II for common allele was found among probands with both primary and secondary AF. At the same time compared with probands there was a statistically significant predominance of homozygous carriers of DD genotype for the rare allele in the control group. Our findings suggest the heterogeneous nature of AF and confirm that DD genotype homozygosity can be protective against the development of AF.