Effects of lisinopril, a new angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor in a cryo-injury model of chronic left ventricular failure.

The angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, lisinopril, was studied in a cryo-injury model of chronic heart failure. This model is characterized by a progressive decrease in cardiac output starting six weeks after cryo-injury to a 30% decrease in cardiac output 10 weeks after injury. Although histological damage to the myocardial tissue, particularly in the epicardial area, was observed, no significant changes occurred in body weight, mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate or central venous pressure. Daily intraperitoneal injection of 3 mg/kg lisinopril was instituted starting four weeks after injury for a duration of six weeks. Lisinopril completely restored the cardiac output to normal values at the end of this six week period. Thus, converting enzyme inhibition appears to be an effective therapeutic agent in this model of chronic cardiac failure.