Cardiovascular responses to isometric exercise and standing in normotensive subjects during converting enzyme...

The hemodynamic responses to isometric exercise (hand grip) were investigated in normotensive subjects during a 150 mEq (n = 8) sodium diet and a 10 mEq (n = 6) sodium diet both before and after the administration of the converting enzyme inhibitor teprotide. Although teprotide significantly decreased the mean arterial pressure during both sodium intakes, the normal pattern of hemodynamic response to hand grip was preserved, that is mean arterial pressure was increased by hand grip mainly because of an increase in cardiac output. Changes of plasma catecholamines during hand grip were not affected by teprotide. In addition, the hemodynamic responses to standing were not substantially altered by teprotide. When fainting occurred (in the seated position) following the administration of teprotide, it was associated not only with a decrease in arterial pressure but also with a concurrent reduction in cardiac output. We conclude that angiotensin inhibition by teprotide does not significantly impair sympathetically mediated cardiovascular responses.