Assessment of the association of ACE gene polymorphism with acute coronary syndrome in patients after a coronavirus disease 2019

Aim. To evaluate the association of the nucleotide sequence variant rs1799752 (I/D) of the angiotensin-converting enzyme ( ACE ) gene with acute coronary syndrome ( ACS ) in patients after a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Material and methods. The study included 100 patients (women — 50, men — 50) with ACS and prior COVID-19, verified by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR), hospitalized in the regional vascular center № 7 of the City Clinical Hospital № 2 city of Novosibirsk. The mean age of women and men was 59,5±7,2 years and 53,5±9,3 years, respectively. The diagnosis of ACS was established according to a set of criteria proposed and established by the Russian Society of Cardiology and in accordance with the updated 2020 guidelines. Patients underwent examinations, coronary angiography with stenting, as provided for in the standards of care and guidelines. In patients, the nucleotide sequence variant rs1799752 of the ACE gene was determined using PCR. The comparison group consisted of 200 patients with ACS without COVID-19 (no positive PCR or antibodies). Statistical analysis was carried out using the SPSS 17.0.5 software package. Results. When comparing the frequencies of rs1799752 genotypes of the ACE gene in groups with ACS with COVID-19 and ACS without COVID-19, significant differences were obtained (p=0,013). In the group with ACS and COVID-19, carriage of the heterozygous genotype was less common (p=0,005) and there was an accumulation of carriers of the homozygous DD genotype (1,6 times higher; 26% vs 16%; p=0,044). Conclusion. The nucleotide sequence variant rs1799752 (I/D) of the ACE gene is associated with ACS in patients after COVID-19.