Angiotensin I-converting enzyme insertion/deletion polymorphism: clinical implications

Since the identification of an Insertion/Deletion polymorphism in the ACE gene, numerous studies have evaluated the potential risk of the DD genotype in cardiovascular disease and hypertension. The report of many conflicting publications reveals a strong need for reviewing the most important data. There is evidence of the absence of an association between the ACE polymorphism and hypertension in Caucasians. In blacks a positive association between the D allele and high blood pressure was seen, Japanese studies show discrepant results. Several studies showed no association between the ACE polymorphism and the risk of myocardial infarction. However, in certain subpopulations, such as low risk patients or coronary care unit patients, an increased risk of myocardial infarction in DD type is present, and a meta-analysis supports this proposition. Because of conflicting data, the potential association between the ACE polymorphism and coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertrophic and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, carotid artery disease and diabetic and immunoglobin A nephropathy, remains inconclusive.