[Reduction of infarct size and remodeling after ramipril]

It is known that angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors not only prevent the formation of angiotensin II, but also potentiate the activity of bradykinin. We investigated the effects of the ACE-inhibitor ramipril in two models of cardiac ischemia. In anesthetized dogs with a coronary occlusion of 6-h duration, both ramiprilat and bradykinin significantly reduced infarct-size. This effect was prevented by the co-administration of the bradykinin antagonist HOE 140. In rats with a coronary occlusion of 6-weeks duration, ramipril administration significantly reduced infarct-size and prevented the development of left ventricular hypertrophy. Thus, ramipril showed a cardioprotective activity in models of acute as well as of chronic myocardial ischemia. These effects are probably mediated by the potentiation of bradykinin.