[Renal function during treatment of chronic renal failure with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors].

The effect on kidney function fo treatment of cardiac failure with ACE-inhibitors was examined retrospectively in a material of 87 consecutive patients. Furthermore, it was evaluated whether concomitant treatment with diuretics or existing generalised atherosclerosis as indicated by ongoing treatment with nitrates could be a risk factor concerning reduction of kidney function. In 11.9% of the patients an increase in S-creatinine of > 30% was observed during the first weeks of treatment. It was only necessary to stop treatment in two of these patients. In the remainder S-creatinine decreased again during ongoing treatment. In another 10.7% of patients an increase of 20-30% in S-creatinine was observed. Seventy-two point six percent of the patients had unchanged kidney function during treatment with an ACE-inhibitor. Ongoing treatment with diuretics did not seem to be a risk factor for developing reduced kidney function, whereas significantly more patients on treatment with nitrates, indicating generalised atherosclerosis, developed reduced kidney function during treatment with ACE-inhibitors. It is recommended to control kidney function before, one to two weeks and two to three months following initiation of treatment with ACE-inhibitors and to pay special attention to patients with generalised atherosclerosis.