Background The ADRA2B gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism is associated with various cardiovascular and metabolic phenotypes. Large (C1) and small (C2) artery compliance, assessed by pulse wave analysis, is considered as sensitive markers or risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Therefore whether the ADRA2B I/D polymorphism is associated with C1 and C2 need to be investigated. Methods A total of 227 men and 243 women were enrolled in a Chinese family-based study. C1 and C2 were measured by pulse wave analysis. ADRA2B genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction. Statistical methods included generalized estimation equations and quantitative transmission disequilibrium test.Results The II (31.9%), ID (46.8%) and DD (21.3%) genotype frequencies were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P=0.73). The covariates selected by stepwise regression for C1 and C2 were age, systolic pressure and gender. The population based association analysis showed that C1 and C2 were not associated with ADRA2B genotype both before (C1: P=0.28; C2: P=0.27) and after (C1: P=0.58; C2: P=0.18) the adjustment. The family-based analyses of 128 informative offspring showed that transmission of the D-allele was not associated with C1 or C2, both before (C1: P=0.42; C2: P=0.85) and after (C1: P=0.31; C2: P=0.82) the adjustment.Conclusion The study do not support that the ADRA2B gene I/D polymorphism has a major gene effect on C1 or C2 in the Chinese population of current sample size. Background The ADRA2B gene insertion / deletion (I / D) polymorphism is associated with various cardiovascular and metabolic phenotypes. Large (C1) and small (C2) artery compliance, assessed by pulse wave analysis, is considered as sensitive markers or risk factors for cardiovascular disease A total of 227 men and 243 women were enrolled in a Chinese family-based study. C1 and C2 were measured by pulse wave analysis. The ADRA2B genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction. Statistical methods included generalized estimation equations and quantitative transmission disequilibrium test. Results The II (31.9%), ID (46.8%) and DD (21.3%) genotype frequencies were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium = 0.73). The covariates selected by stepwise regression for C1 and C2 were age, systolic pressure and gender. The population based association analysis showed that C1 and C2 were not associate The family-based analyzes of 128 informative offspring showed that transmission of d with ADRA2B genotype both before (C1: P = 0.28; C2: P = 0.27) and after the D-allele was not associated with C1 or C2, both before (C1: P = 0.42; C2: P = 0.85) and after support that the ADRA2B gene I / D polymorphism has a major gene effect on C1 or C2 in the Chinese population of current sample size.