Failure of captopril to reverse the renal crisis of scleroderma

Captopril, an oral inhibitor of angiotensin converting enzyme, has recently been described as causing a dramatic reversal of the renal crisis in scleroderma in 2 patients(1). We report here 2 patients with scleroderma, hypertension, and rapidly deteriorating renal function who were given captopril. Despite good blood pressure control, captopril had no effect on renal function, both patients requiring long-term haemodialysis.