[Recent molecular and pharmacologic aspects of ACE inhibitors]

ACE-Inhibitors are well established in the treatment of hypertension and heart failure. Other indications, that are under discussion, are coronary artery disease, renal failure and diabetes mellitus. The mechanism of action of ACE-Inhibitors is not only the reduction of angiotensin II and accumulation of bradykinin but also an increase of the action potential of the heart muscle, increase in glucose uptake in skeletal muscle, inhibition of platelet aggregation and opening of the K-ATP-channels.