The objectives of this study were to determine the association between angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism and left ventricular (LV) geometry, and to clarify independent effects of ACE genotype on mortality after commencing dialysis in diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). A total of 106 diabetic patients, 71 men and 35 women, 11 type 1 and 95 type 2 diabetic, 57 +/- 12 (mean +/- standard deviation (S.D.)) years of age, who started dialysis were studied. Patients with cardiac diseases and those treated with ACE inhibitors were excluded because of potential effects on LV performance. Echocardiographic examination was performed within +/-2 months of the start of dialysis. Relation between ACE genotype and LV mass index (LVMI) or relative wall thickness (RWT) at onset of dialysis, and impact of ACE genotype on survival after commencing dialysis were evaluated. There were no significant differences in LVMI or RWT in the three ACE genotype groups at onset of dialysis. However, mortality of patients with the ACE-DD genotype was significantly higher than patients with the DI and II genotypes (hazard ratio, 2.318; P=0.043), based on a survival analysis with a mean follow-up duration of 60 months. The higher mortality in patients with the DD genotype was confirmed to be independent of LV hypertrophy and increases in RWT. In diabetic patients with ESRD, ACE genotype has no association with LV mass or RWT at the start of dialysis, but does have an independent impact on patient survival thereafter.