Polymorphisms of adrenoceptors are not associated with an increased risk of adverse event in heart failure: a MERIT-HF substudy.

Background: Enhanced sympathetic activation has a central role in the development of heart failure (HF). We assessed whether the alpha(2C)-adrenoceptor (Del322-325) polymorphism exclusively or in combination with a beta(1)-adrenoceptor (Arg389) polymorphism, each with known independent effects on sympathetic function, were associated with an increased risk of adverse events in HF.

Methods And Results: A total of 526 patients enrolled in the Metoprolol CR/XL Randomized Intervention Trial in Congestive Heart Failure study were genotyped for both adrenoceptor polymorphisms. The distribution of alpha(2C) genotypes was similar between the event and nonevent groups. However, a reduced prevalence of the Del322-325 allele was found in individuals with ischemic congestive HF (P=.022). Patients possessing both the alpha(2C) Del322-325 and beta(1) Arg389 alleles had no increased risk of events. Adjusting for confounding variables and the beta(1) Arg389Gly polymorphism, the odds ratio of being ins/del + del/del for the alpha(2C) Del322-325 and having an event was 0.89 with 95% CI 0.49-1.63, P=.715. Similarly, adjusting for confounding variables and the alpha(2C) Del322-325 polymorphism the odds ratio of being Arg/Arg or Arg/Gly for the beta(1) Arg389Gly polymorphism and having an event was 1.13 with 95% CI 0.52-2.17, P=.864.

Conclusions: The alpha(2C) Del322-325 polymorphism exclusively or in combination with the beta(1)Arg389 allele is not associated with an increased risk of adverse events in HF.