[Captopril and other angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in the treatment of hypertension].

Captopril was the first oral inhibitor of the angiotension converting enzyme (ACE). Its introduction into clinical practice in 1981 was a great advance in the treatment of essential hypertension. In subsequent years a number of other ACE inhibitors was developed. They are nowadays, due to their favourable effects and good tolerance, basic antihypertensive drugs. They are indicated either as monotherapy or part of combined treatment, in particular in moderate to severe hypertension or when other antihypertensive drugs are ineffective, poorly tolerated or contraindicated. They are suitable also for hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, cardiac failure, in diabetics and in dyslipoproteinaemia. Recent reports indicate that ACE inhibitors preserve the quality of life of hypertonic patients better than other hypotensive drugs. It seems that some can it, even improve.