Efficacy of perindopril, inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme, in congestive heart failure

The efficacy of perindopril in congestive heart failure (CHF) class II-III (NYHA) was studied in a trial including 37 patients (35 males and 2 females) aged 39-71 years (mean age 57.9 +/- 1.4) with postinfarction cardiosclerosis. They had CHF class II-III and ejection fraction (EF) < 45%. Perindopril was given in a single daily dose 2-4 mg for 6 months. The treatment resulted in a significant lowering of CHF class (from 2.5 +/- 0.1 to 1.7 +/- 0.1 (p < 0.01). Exercise tolerance increased from 256.2 +/- 18.6 s to 349.8 +/- 27.0 s (p < 0.05). Pump and contractile functions of the myocardium improved: stroke volume increased by 12.7%, ejection fraction by 20.5%, total peripheral vascular resistance fell by 9.7%, circulating blood volume by 9.2%. Parameters of oxygen transport to tissues and tissue respiration also changed for the better. The authors state high efficacy of perindopril in CHF patients.