[ACE-inhibitors and water metabolism in heart failure]

At least theoretically, ACE-inhibitors may influence each of the factors involved in the regulation of salt and water metabolism. Angiotensin II exerts an antidiuretic and antinatriuretic action on the kidney through influences on the glomerular filtration coefficient, glomerular filtration rate, mesangial tone, filtration fraction, proximal and distal tubule. Angiotensin II and renin also regulate the input of water and salt through an unequivocal dipsogenic effect. In congestive heart failure angiotensin II participates in the preservation of the glomerular filtration rate through its vasoconstrictor properties on the systemic vessels (maintenance of the perfusion and filtration pressure) as well as on the efferent arteriole (maintenance of the filtration pressure). ACE-inhibition weakens or abolishes these influences. However, two favorable mechanisms may also come into action: rise of cardiac output and improvement in renal blood flow; widening of the filtration surface and increment of the filtration coefficient. The efficacy of these factors depends on renal function, age, functional recovery of the heart, treatment with diuretics, duration of treatment with ACE-inhibitors, duration of action of the ACe-inhibitor used, blockade of the facilitating action on the adrenergic vasoconstriction, formation of vasodilating prostaglandins, reduced degradation of kinins. All these effects may account for the variable and often contradictory clinical results, in particular as concerns the relationship between ACE-inhibition and use of diuretics in congestive heart failure. This also explains the variability of efficacy (from the development of pulmonary edema and requirement of diuretics to diuretic withdrawal and clinical improvement) of the ACE-inhibitors as monotherapy in mild to moderate heart failure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)