Abstract
The association between angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion (I) /deletion (D) polymorphism and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is controversial. The aim of our study is to elucidate this association. ACE genotype was analyzed using PCR. The frequencies of DD genotype and D allele were significantly higher in hypertensives with CVD than those without CVD and normotensives. The frequencies of DD genotype and D allele were also higher in hypertensives with parental history of stroke (PHS) compared with those without PHS. However, casual and ambulatory blood pressure levels and plasma levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) were not different in ACE genotype. These findings suggest the ACE genotype is one of the risk factors of CVD independent of blood pressure levels and PAI-1 levels.