Double-blind, randomised, cross-over comparison of oral captopril and enoximone added to diuretic treatment in patients with severe heart failure.

Enoximone (MDL 17043, 150 mg t.d.s.) and captopril (25 mg t.d.s.) were compared as additional treatment to diuretics in 13 patients with severe chronic heart failure in a cross-over, double-blind, and randomised trial. Each treatment was continued for one month. Heart failure was due to cardiomyopathy in six patients and ischaemic heart disease in seven. Exercise capacity and central haemodynamics at rest and on exercise were measured on entry to the study and after each treatment period. Cardiac index at peak exercise time and peak oxygen consumption were increased by both drugs, but there were no differences in these increases between the two drugs after one month's treatment. Minor differences were found in the biochemical and hormonal response to the two drugs. Those patients who improved on captopril also improved on enoximone.