Effect of long-term angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy on arterial oxygen saturation in patients with mild to moderate heart failure.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition on continuous pulse oximetry recordings of arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2).


METHODS
Open-label study.


METHODS
Cardiology clinics at two large teaching hospitals.


METHODS
Eight patients with New York Heart Association Functional Class (NYHA FC) II-III heart failure.


METHODS
Patients were studied after an ACE inhibitor washout (baseline, B), and after 3 months following resumption of therapy (ACE).


RESULTS
Monitoring times for B and ACEI were approximately 22 hours. Reduction trends were observed for number (190 +/- 170 vs 125 +/- 67 B vs ACEI), magnitude (8.2 +/- 1.4% vs 7.5 +/- 1.8%), and duration (2.45 +/- 2.8 vs 1.35 +/- 0.8 min) of desaturations/monitoring period, and for nadir SpO2/desaturation (88.1 +/- 1.5% vs 89.9 +/- 3.3%). The B desaturation index [(cumulative desaturation time/monitoring period time) x 100, a measure of hypoxic stress or burden] decreased from 19.4 +/- 8.1% to 11.9 +/- 8.1% at ACEI (p = 0.024).


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term ACE inhibitor therapy improves the profile of SpO2 values over time in patients with NYHA FC II-III heart failure.
Stanek
E J
EJ
Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacy Administration, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, PA 19104.
Nara
A R
AR
Strohl
K P
KP
Nair
R N
RN
Decker
M J
MJ
Munger
M A
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002216:Captopril / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004656:Enalapril / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010092:Oximetry; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D013997:Time Factors
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D004656:Enalapril; D002216:Captopril; D010100:Oxygen