Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor therapy.

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor therapy decreases the production of the vasoconstrictive angiotensin II and reduces the degradation of certain kinines of vasodilatator action. Of captopril, enalapril, and lysinopril marketed abroad, only captopril of shorter action is available in Hungary. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors are new means for the therapy of hypertension and congestive heart failure. Captopril seems to be effective at an early stage of heart failure. It slows down or even inhibits the progression of heart failure. New aspects of therapy have been revealed. It may be successfully used in angina pectoris, for the prevention of reperfusion arrhythmias accompanying myocardial infarction, for the treatment of renoparenchimal renal diseases, diabetic nephropathy. The side-effects, interactions, and dosage of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors have also been discussed.