ACE Inhibitors More Effective for Heart Patients with Reduced Kidney Function
Results from the PEACE–Prevention of Events With an ACE inhibitor–trial has found that treatment with ACE inhibitors, such as captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, and trandolapril*, appears to be more effective at reducing the risk of death in patients with existing heart condition and impaired kidney function. When compared to study participants on placebo,
- Heart patients who met the definition of reduced kidney function had a 27 percent decrease in death rate from all causes if treated with ACE inhibitors
- Heart patients with adequate kidney function experience a 6 percent decrease in the rate of death.
Doctors suggest that heart patients be screened for kidney function because even a small degree of impairment can alter the effectiveness of your medication.
*The PEACE study used trandolapril.
Forbes, June 28, 2006
Technorati Tags: heart disease, kidneys, kidney function, renal disease, kidney disease, ace inhibitors, angiotensin converting enzyme, captopril, lisinopril, enalapril, trandolapril, cardiovascular disease, cvd
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POSTED IN: Hearty Healthcare, Hearty Research
1 opinion for ACE Inhibitors More Effective for Heart Patients with Reduced Kidney Function
m. cinolotac
Jul 13, 2007 at 9:13 pm
I have been on enalapril for five years (in combination with metoprolol and hctz) as part of the treatment for high blood pressure. However, my cardiologist has been monitoring kidney function the entire time. My last blood work showed an increase in BUN and creatinine levels so I have been off the enalapril for almost a month in the hope that my kidney functions will return to normal. How can ACE inhibitors be said to be helpful to people with impaired kidney function when, in fact, they can cause a significant reduction in kidney function?
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