No abstract

The Renin Angiotensin Aldosteron System (RAAS) is one of the major systems involved in the pathophysiology of heart failure. In this study we investigate the association between the renin angiotensin aldosteron system genes polymorphisms and acute heart failure (AHF) and we evaluate the role of serum ACE activity. Methods:We included 300 patients over 20 years old admitted to the Emergency Department for acute dyspnea. According to the clinical findings and results of the B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP level), patients were divided into two groups: heart failure (HF) and non-heart failure (non-HF) groups. Genotyping was done by PCR-RFLP. The level of serum ACE activity was determined by spectrophotometric method using hippuryl histidyl leucine. We found the diagnosis of AHF in 50% of the population. Results:No association between the renin polymorphism and AHF, but we found an association between ACE ID and CYP11B2 polymorphisms and heart failure. Level of serum ACE activity is significantly higher in the group of AHF. Conclusion:We can conclude that blood ACE activity, ACE ID and CYP11B2 can be a marker of acute heart failure.