[The value of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in the treatment of hypertension].

Numerous trials have shown the efficacy of ACE-inhibitors in moderate and severe essential hypertension. Their use must be regarded as very promising. They lower peripheral vascular resistance without influencing cardiac index and heart rate. Additionally, they maintain serum potassium and do not effect plasma lipids or provoke diabetes mellitus or gout. In 20-30% of hypertensive patients ACE-inhibitors have to be combined with diuretics and/or calcium antagonists. The addition of beta-blockers is useful in patients with resting tachycardia. In mild hypertension the use of ACE-inhibitors as first-line drugs is indicated in patients with adverse reactions to beta-blockers or diuretics. In bilateral renovascular hypertension, ACE-inhibitors may induce a strong blood pressure fall; in bilateral stenosis they contribute to a deterioration of renal function with reversible renal insufficiency. In renoparenchymal hypertension, ACE-inhibitors may attenuate the progression of renal insufficiency; in addition, proteinuria is lowered. In systolic hypertension in the elderly, one must be aware of a marked first-dose hypotensive effect. ACE-inhibitors decrease exaggerated exercise-induced elevation of blood pressure and heart rate and therefore lower myocardial oxygen consumption. In patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus, antihypertensive treatment should be initiated for blood pressure levels above 140/90 mmHg, to attenuate the progression of vascular damage in the kidney. In patients with severe left ventricular hypertrophy, ACE-inhibitors reduce left ventricular mass within three months by about 30%. In hypertension and coronary heart disease, recent studies report benefits of ACE-inhibitors on coronary circulation. Presently available ACE-inhibitors and those in preparation do not differ in pharmacodynamic, but in pharmacokinetic properties, concerning the beginning and duration of blood pressure lowering. A hypotensive first-dose effect can be observed in diuretic pretreated patients, in severe (malignant) and renovascular hypertension. ACE-inhibitors should not be used during pregnancy or in patients with autoimmune diseases or those undergoing treatment with immunosuppressive drugs, due to the side effects of neutropenia and proteinuria, which are more often seen under these conditions. Results from long-term studies on the influence of ACE-inhibitor treatment on cardiovascular risk in mild hypertension have not been available until now. In the decision to treat mild hypertension with ACE-inhibitors as first-line drug therapy, the costs of therapy in comparison to cheaper antihypertensives must be taken into account.