Background: The aim of this study was to observe the association between fibrinogen C148T, G854A polymorphisms and plasma fibrinogen levels in a large cohort of Chinese patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods: Fibrinogen gene β148/β854 polymorphisms were screened and plasma fibrinogen levels and lipids were measured in patients with angiographically confirmed CHD (n = 836) and in controls without CHD (n = 418). Results: Age, sex, smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, blood lipids and fibrinogen levels were related to CHD (all p < 0. 05) while the frequencies of fibrinogen β148 and β854 alleles, gene and genotypes between the two groups were similar (all p > 0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the plasma fibrinogen level, but not fibrinogen β148 and β854 genotypes, was associated with CHD in the Chinese population. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG.