Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor

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Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (commonly ACE inhibitors) are a "class of drugs whose main indications are the treatment of hypertension and heart failure. They exert their hemodynamic effect mainly by inhibiting the renin-angiotensin system. They also modulate sympathetic nervous system activity and increase prostaglandin synthesis. They cause mainly vasodilation and mild natriuresis without affecting heart rate and contractility."[1]

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors also decrease the degradation of bradykinin as the enzyme kininase II is the same enzyme as angiotensin-converting enzyme.[2] This may contribute to some patients having a cough when taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.

Uses

Hypertension

For more information, see: Hypertension.

In hypertension, all ACE inhibitors have a similar degree of lowering the blood pressure.[3]. At half of the maximum dose, the average reduction in blood pressure is -8/-5 mm Hg.

Heart failure

For more information, see: Heart failure.


Chronic kidney disease

For more information, see: Chronic kidney disease.


Adverse effects

Cough

According to a clinical prediction rule, cough due to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors is more likely among patients who are "older age, female gender, non-African American (with East Asian having highest risk), no history of previous angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor use, and history of cough due to another angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor".[4]


References