[A research of acute hemodynamics and hormonal changes of intravenous captopril in patients with cor pulmonale and pulmonary hypertension].

In 20 patients of cor pulmonale with heart failure and respiratory failure and in 11 healthy men, after intravenous captopril injection, acute hemodynamic and hormonal change were observed. The results indicated that intravenous captopril injection rapidly reduced cardiac preload and afterload, reduced pulmonary arterial pressure, increased cardiac output, inhibited renin system activity, decreased plasma level of thyroxin and atrial natriuretic peptide. A rapid symptomatic improvement in patients with acute or severe cor pulmonale was shown and there was no significant effect on blood gas immediately.