title: Immediate and sustained hemodynamic and clinical improvement in chronic heart failure by an oral angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor.
abstract: The hemodynamic effects of an oral angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril, were evaluated in 10 symptomatic patients with chronic congestive heart failure. In all patients there was a significant increase in cardiac output (average 28%), stroke volume (49%), and stroke work index (26%), along with a decrease in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (48%), indicating improved left ventricular function. Modest decreases in heart rate and arterial pressure were also observed. In seven patients maintained on captopril therapy, repeat hemodynamic studies at 2 months revealed sustained effects. These beneficial hemodynamic effects were accompanied by clinical improvement and improved exercise tolerance during maintenance therapy. These findings suggest that captopril may be a useful therapeutic adjunct for the long-term management of patients with chronic congestive heart failure.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002216:Captopril / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000187:drug effects; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011392:Proline / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D011392:Proline; D002216:Captopril