Combined aspirin/ACE inhibitor treatment for CHF.
OBJECTIVE
To review the literature evaluating the interaction between angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and aspirin in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF).


METHODS
A literature search through MEDLINE (1966-March 2001) and EMBASE (1966-March 2001) identified randomized, double-blind, controlled trials evaluating the use of ACE inhibitors and aspirin in patients with CHF.


RESULTS
No prospective study has evaluated the effects of aspirin and ACE inhibitors on clinical outcomes of patients with CHF. All have been short-term studies evaluating the effects on hemodynamic parameters only.


CONCLUSIONS
While the potential for an interaction between ACE inhibitors and aspirin exists, the results from ongoing prospective trials will help determine the efficacy of using both agents in patients with CHF.
Olson
K L
KL
University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. karl.olson@kp.org
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D001241:Aspirin