The authors evaluated the influence of the ACE gene polymorphism on left ventricular function in patients with diabetes type 2. In a group of 23 patients left ventricular mass, global and regional systolic function of the left ventricle as well as diastolic function was assessed from transmitral flow using two-dimensional echocardiography. In a subgroup of patients with DD (n = 7) and ID genotype (n = 16), no significant differences were found in age (p = 0.19), duration of diabetes (p = 0.46), level of HbA1c (p = 0.10), cholesterol level (p = 0.18), quantitative proteinuria (p = 0.39), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.25, p = 0,40). No association was found between insertion-deletion polymorphism of the ACE gene and observed echocardiographic parameters [left ventricular mass index (p = 0.43), EF (p = 0.46), wall motion index (p = 0.25), E wave (p = 0.14), A wave (p = 0.07), deceleration time of the E wave (p = 0.06), E/A (p = 0.07), flow propagation velocity (Vp) (p = 0,14) and E/Vp (p = 0.38)]. The presence of myocardial infarction, ischemic heart disease and hypertension had no association with ACE gene polymorphism (p = 0.53, p = 0.61 and p = 0.64). In conclusion, there is no association between ACE gene polymorphism and systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle in this group of patients with diabetes type 2.

        Key words: ACE gene polymorphism - Systolic function of the left ventricle - Diastolic function of the left ventricle - Hypertension - Myocardial infarction - Ischemic heart disease.