Objective To detect cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) levels, frequencies of CETP D442G and Ⅰ14A mutations and characteristics of abnormal lipids in patients with cardio-cerebro vascular diseases. Methods Ninety-four myocardial infarction (MI) patients,110 stroke patients and 335 healthy controls were selected. The CETP concentration was determined using ELISA. The CETP activity was measured using a substrate of 14 C-radiolabeled discoidal bilayer particles. The CETP gene mutations were detected by PCR-RFLP. Results The CETP concentrations in the MI and stroke group, were higher than those in the controls. The gene mutation frequencies of D442G in the MI, stroke and control group were 3.5%, 3.6% and 5%, respectively, and the frequencies of Ⅰ14A were 1.05%, 0.91% and 1%, respectively. One case of D442G homozygote was detected in the healthy group. The frequency of two CETP gene mutations showed no significant difference among the patients and controls. The CETP concentration and activity in subjects with CETP mutations were one-third of those in the control group. The level of HDL-C, apo-A1 increased in the mutation subjects, while the TG level decreased. Conclusions The CETP level increased significantly in patients with cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. The carriers of CETP deficiency had CETP and lipid abnormalities.