Influence of angiotensin‐converting enzyme gene polymorphism on development of athlete's heart

Background and hypothesis : Genetic influence on development of athlete's heart is uncertain. This study investigated whether angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism influenced development of athlete's heart. Methods : Forty‐three participants in a 100‐km ultramarathon were classified on the basis of ACE gene polymorphism into a deletion group (n = 26) and an insertion group (n = 17). Echocardiograms were recorded to determine left ventricular end‐diastolic and end‐systolic diameters, interventricular septal thickness, left ventricular posterior wall thickness, left ventricular mass, and ejection fraction. Results : Left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter (65.5 ± 4.0 mm) and left ventricular mass (369.5 ± 73.9 g) were significantly larger in the subjects with deletion than in those with insertion (57.4 ± 4.2 mm, 306.5 ± 93.7 g). However, no significant differences in the other parameters were noted. Conclusions : In long‐distance runners, ACE gene polymorphism of the D/D and D/I genotypes has a stronger influence on left ventricular hypertrophy than polymorphism of the I/I genotype.