[Perindopril and chronic heart failure]

Abstract

Haemodynamic studies performed in patients with cardiac failure have shown that perindopril decreases right and left ventricular filling pressures, systemic blood pressure and peripheral resistances, slightly reduces the heart rate and increases cardiac output. Flammang showed that these haemodynamic changes are sustained after 12 months' treatment. A randomised double blind multicenter trial versus placebo was carried out over 3 months following a 15 days pre-inclusion period in 125 patients with NYHA Stage II and III cardiac failure stabilised by digitalis and diuretic therapy. Perindopril was administered at a dosage of 2 or 4 mg according to initial systolic blood pressure and efficacy was evaluated at 1 and 3 months according to the NYHA classification, a score of clinical severity, the duration of two exercise stress tests on a bicycle ergometer or treadmill and the cardiothoracic ratio. There were no cases of cardiac decompensation (NYHA Stage IV) in the group of perindopril whilst 3 cases were observed in the placebo group. Significant improvements in the clinical scores and effort capacity were observed in the perindopril group. The duration of exercise on the treadmill was 778 seconds with perindopril compared to 544 seconds in the placebo group. Systolic blood pressure did not change and there was a slight decrease in standing diastolic pressures. No significant increases in blood urea or creatinine levels were observed. To study the effects on blood pressure, a major factor in the management of a patient with cardiac failure, McFadyen compared the changes in blood pressure after a single dose of perindopril, enalapril, captopril and placebo.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)