Plasma free captopril concentrations during short and long term treatment with oral captopril for heart failure

Plasma free captopril concentrations and haemodynamic response to captopril were studied in 20 patients with severe chronic heart failure. A 25 mg oral dose of captopril produced a 36% reduction in systemic vascular resistance, with individual responses varying from 13% to 64%. Mean systemic pressure fell by 20% and cardiac output rose 28%. The absorption of captopril was rapid. Peak plasma free captopril concentration occurred at 45 minutes after the dose and was followed by a smaller second peak. Peak plasma free captopril concentrations varied more than 20-fold but did not correlate with the maximal reduction in systemic vascular resistance. Elimination half life was seven hours. Fourteen patients were restudied after 1-2 months of captopril treatment and 12 showed symptomatic benefit. There was a sustained improvement in haemodynamic state and in non-invasive indices of myocardial function. During long term treatment the predose plasma free captopril concentration correlated well with dosage, but steady state captopril concentrations did not show a significant relation with haemodynamic response. On a dosage regimen of 25-50 mg three times daily the morning predose plasma free captopril concentration and plasma renin activity were relatively low and suggested that maximal inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system was not maintained throughout the dosage interval.