Long-term captopril therapy in severe refractory congestive heart failure.

1 The favourable haemodynamic effects of captopril in patients with congestive heart failure have been reported. 2 We have treated 25 patients with severe chronic congestive heart failure with captopril in doses of 75-450 mg daily. Before entering the study all patients remained in New York Heart Association functional class IV despite high-dose diuretic and vasodilator therapy. 3 Mean cardiothoracic ratio was 60%, and all patients had a shortening fraction of 18% or less on echocardiography (normal 25 to 40%). 4 Five patients died within one month of captopril and five between four and seven months, three of whom had improved to class IIM and one to IIS before death. 5 Of the 15 survivors one was referred for a heart transplant when he had improved to class IIM. The remaining 14 patients were followed for 8-16 months. Ten improved to New York Heart Association class I or IIS and four to class IIM or III. Diuretic requirements were decreased considerably in all 14. Side effects were common but captopril did not have to be withdrawn. Captopril is a highly effective drug in the treatment of patients with congestive heart failure refractory to currently accepted therapy.