The distributions of ACE gene D alleles were 38.2% (N = 52) in the COPD group and 61.8% (N = 84) in the control group; and those of I alleles were 48.8% (N = 42) in the COPD group and 51.2% (N = 44) in the control group.
We hypothesized that in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) the presence of the D allele in the ACE gene polymorphism is associated with increased pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa).
Thus, a single administration of nifedipine may not have the clinical efficacy for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension and impaired oxygen delivery during exercise in COPD patients with different ACE gene polymorphisms.