title: Protective effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in high-risk African American men with coronary heart disease.
abstract: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have been extensively used for the treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease, but several concerns have been raised about their efficacy in African American (AA) patients with heart failure, hypertension, and left ventricular hypertrophy. In this study the authors assessed the effect of ACE inhibitors on total and cardiovascular mortality in high-risk AA patients with angiographically proven coronary artery disease (CAD). This was a retrospective analysis of 810 AA men who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography between 1995 and 2003. All patients had demonstrable CAD and had undergone a complete ischemic workup. Follow-up was from 3 to 10 years. ACE inhibitors were administered to 237 patients, while the remaining 537 patients were not taking ACE inhibitors. Patients taking ACE inhibitors had significantly more comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, left ventricular hypertrophy, heart failure, severe CAD) at baseline, compared with patients not taking ACE inhibitors (P<.05 for all comorbidities). Despite the unfavorable baseline profile, patients taking ACE inhibitors had significantly lower mortality from CAD during follow-up than patients who were not taking ACE inhibitors (P=.006). Stroke mortality rates were similar in both groups. Cox regression analysis showed an 80% higher relative risk in patients not receiving ACE inhibitors. These data indicate a substantial benefit from ACE inhibitor therapy in high-risk AA patients with CAD.
authors.affiliation: Medical Centers, Veterans Affairs and Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA. vpapademetriou@va.gov
authors.forename: Vasilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Papademetriou
authors.forename: Christodoulos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kaoutzanis
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dumas
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pittaras
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Faselis
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kokkinos
authors.forename: Ross D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Fletcher
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000208:ethnology*; D000368:Aged; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000401:mortality; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors