Placental passage of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.
OBJECTIVE
Placental passage of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors temocapril and enalapril was investigated in a placental perfusion model.


METHODS
In an open system a placental lobe was perfused on both the maternal and the fetal side with a blood-free medium containing the test substances plus a reference substance on the maternal side. Six placentas were perfused with temocapril and five with enalapril. The drugs were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.


RESULTS
Both angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors crossed the human placenta in the maternal-fetal direction in similar quantities. Temocapril showed the same pharmacokinetic characteristics as enalapril.


CONCLUSIONS
This was the first study to quantify the placental transfer of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. These antihypertensive agents should not be taken during pregnancy, to avoid any potential hazards to the fetus.
Reisenberger
K
K
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Vienna, Austria.
Egarter
C
C
Sternberger
B
B
Eckenberger
P
P
Eberle
E
E
Weissenbacher
E R
ER
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D000983:Antipyrine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004656:Enalapril / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D010477:Perfusion; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013841:Thiazepines / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D013841:Thiazepines; D004656:Enalapril; C055603:temocapril hydrochloride; D000983:Antipyrine