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[ACE-inhibitors: physiologic premises and pharmacologic profiles].
A Marino1, G Schettini, T Florio
1II Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia dell'Università di Napoli.
La Clinica Terapeutica
|February 28, 1990
Summary
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are effective for hypertension and heart failure, with tissue ACE levels being key for long-term response. Further research into their mechanisms could lead to more selective drug development.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Cardiology
- Nephrology
Context:
- Review of over ten years of clinical experience with ACE-inhibitors.
- Focus on hypertension and congestive heart failure therapy.
- Emphasis on the role of tissue ACE levels over serum levels for sustained therapeutic effects.
Purpose:
- To review the efficacy and safety of ACE-inhibitors in managing hypertension and congestive heart failure.
- To highlight the significance of tissue ACE levels in predicting patient response.
- To discuss the potential for developing more selective ACE-inhibitor molecules.
Summary:
- ACE-inhibitors demonstrate significant efficacy with a low incidence of adverse effects, making them valuable for general practitioners.
- The long-term therapeutic response to ACE-inhibitors is primarily linked to tissue-bound ACE activity rather than circulating levels.
- Ongoing research into the specific mechanisms of action could pave the way for novel, targeted therapeutic agents.
Impact:
- Provides a comprehensive overview of ACE-inhibitor utility in primary care settings.
- Underscores the importance of understanding ACE enzyme localization for optimizing treatment strategies.
- Suggests future research directions for enhancing ACE-inhibitor therapy and exploring new applications, including myocardial infarction prevention and chronic renal failure management.