P3.11 INCREASED CAROTID PLAQUE OCCURRENCE IN MEN WITH THE FIBRILLIN-1 2–3 GENOTYPE

Abstract

Background: Fibrillin-1 is an important constituent of the vascular wall and earlier studies have indicated an effect of the fibrillin-1 2–3 genotype on blood pressure as well as aortic stiffness. The aim was to determine if the Fibrillin-1 2–3 genotype is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity/mortality in middle-aged individuals. Method: The fibrillin-1 genotype was characterized by PCR in 5765 individuals (2424 men, 3341 women 45–69 yrs) recruited from the Cardiovascular Cohort in Malmö Diet and Cancer-study. The intima media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA) was visualised by B-mode ultrasound. The follow up on the number of cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction and stroke) as well as all cause mortality was monitored during 1991 to 2001. Results: The most common genotypes were 2–2, 2–3 and 2–4 which accounted for 92.2% (n=5317) of the individuals. There were no differences between the three genotypes regarding age, blood pressures, smoking, glucose, lipids, CCA diameter and IMT. Regarding the occurrence of plaque in the CCA the men with the 2–3 genotype had more plaque than the 2–2 and 2–4 genotypes, (54% vs 46% and 50%, p=.007). The follow up (mean 8.55 yrs) of cardiovascular events and mortality did however not differ between the genotypes. Conclusions: The increased plaque occurrence in the carotid artery of middle-aged men with fibrillin-1 2–3 genotype indicates a pathologic arterial wall remodelling with a more pronounced atherosclerotic burden. The effect of the 2–3 genotype on cardiovascular events and mortality seems however to be minor.