title: Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors effect on endothelial dysfunction: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Several studies have assessed the effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) on endothelial dysfunction as measured by brachial flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD). We conducted a meta-analysis to investigate this effect in comparison to placebo or no treatment and to other antihypertensive agents.
  
  
  METHODS
  MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched from 1996 to October 2010 on randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the effect of ACEIs on brachial FMD versus placebo or no treatment and ACEIs versus angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and β-blockers. Data from included studies were pooled with use of random effects meta-analysis of the weighted mean change differences between the comparator groups. Heterogeneity across studies was assessed with the I(2) statistic.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 10 trials including 1129 patients, treatment with ACEIs (n = 498) versus placebo or no treatment (n = 503) significantly improved brachial FMD (pooled mean change difference 1.26%, 95% C.I. 0.46-2.07, p = 0.002 with significant heterogeneity). In 11 trials which included 805 patients, treatment with ACEIs (n = 264) had a significant effect on brachial FMD when compared with other antihypertensives (ARBs, CCBs and β-blockers) (n = 420) (pooled mean change difference 0.89%, 95% C.I. 0.22-1.56, p = 0.009, I(2) = 83%, p for heterogeneity < 0.00001). In 7 trials, treatment with ACEIs had no significant effect on FMD when compared with ARBs (pooled mean change difference = 0.21%, 95% C.I. -0.24 to 0.66, p = 0.36, I(2) = 0%). However, in 4 trials ACEIs significantly improved FMD when compared with CCBs (pooled mean change difference 2.15%, 95% C.I. 0.55-3.75, p = 0.009, I(2) = 90%, p for heterogeneity < 0.00001). When compared with β-blockers in 4 trials, ACEIs also had a significant effect on FMD (pooled mean change difference = 0.59%, 95% C.I. 0.05-1.13, p = 0.03, I(2) = 34%, p for heterogeneity = 0.21).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that ACEIs improve brachial FMD which is a marker of endothelial function in patients with endothelial dysfunction caused by various conditions and are superior to CCBs and β-blockers. There was no significant difference between ACEIs and ARBs effect on brachial FMD.
authors.affiliation: Academic Vascular Surgical Unit, Hull York Medical School & University of Hull, Hull, UK. yousef.shahin@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Yousef
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shahin
authors.forename: Junaid Alam
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Nehemiah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Samuel
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chetter
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers