title: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors for intermittent claudication associated with peripheral arterial disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review published literature regarding the effectiveness of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors for managing intermittent claudication (IC) associated with peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
  
  
  METHODS
  A search of MEDLINE/PubMed (1966-July 2013) using the MeSH terms intermittent claudication and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors was conducted. Limits included articles written in English with human participants. Additional data were identified through bibliographic reviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  All English-language articles identified from the data sources were evaluated. Clinical trials and meta-analyses were included if they evaluated the efficacy of ACE inhibitors for improving functional capacity of patients with PAD with IC. In all, 9 clinical trials and 1 meta-analysis were identified and included for review. ACE inhibitors evaluated in the studies were captopril, lisinopril, perindopril, quinapril, and ramipril.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Current medications approved for treating the symptoms and improving function in PAD with IC have limited efficacy. It has been suggested that ACE inhibitors may be effective in PAD with IC. Though data evaluating ACE inhibitors as a class in this patient population are conflicting, results of the largest and longest trial reported that ramipril increases maximum walking time and pain-free walking time and improves quality of life in patients with PAD with IC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ACE inhibitors may provide some relief of IC symptoms when used in patients with PAD. The greatest functional benefit has been seen with ramipril; it is unknown whether other agents in the class would show similar results. Well-controlled and designed studies with sufficient power and using diverse patient populations are needed.
authors.affiliation: Virginia Commonwealth University Health System/Medical College of Virginia Hospitals, Richmond, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: William D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Cahoon
authors.forename: Denise K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Lowe
mesh_terms: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
keywords: ACE inhibitors; angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors; intermittent claudication; peripheral arterial disease