The apo A-I gene promoter region polymorphism determines the severity of hyperlipidemia after heart transplantation.

Background: To study whether the Apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) promoter region gene polymorphism produces changes in the lipid profile of heart transplant recipients.

Methods: One hundred and three heart transplant recipients (93 men and 10 women, with a mean age of 47 +/- 13 yr) receiving triple immunosuppressive therapy were submitted to a genetic study of the apo A-I gene promoter region. Anthropometric and analytical data, including lipid profile, arterial blood pressure, were collected prior to transplantation and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after transplantation.