ABSTRACT
Study was designed to investigate the effect of prolonged application of captopril on pulmonary ventilation in patients with chronic congestive heart failure (CCHF) without hypertension. Studies were carried out in 13 men aged 54-65 yrs with CCHF due to ischaemic heart disease. They were classified hemodynamically as III or IV stage according to the NYHA classification. Two periods of management were investigated. In the 1st period, lasting at least one month, cardiac glycosides, diuretics, nitrates, as well as diet and restricted physical activity were applied. In the 2nd period, lasting 21 days, additionally captopril was given in a daily dose of 2 x 12.5 or 2 x 25 mg depending on the drug tolerance. When the periods were terminated pulmonary ventilation was measured. The following indices were determined: FEF25, FEF50, FEF75, FEF25-75, FEV1, FVC,FEV1/FVC, SVC, FIVC, FIF25, FIF50, FIF75, FIF25-75. No significant effect of captopril upon pulmonary ventilation was found (p < 0.05). In any of the patients captopril-induced cough was not observed. It is concluded that prolonged management with captopril in patients with CCHF without hypertension has no disadvantageous influence upon pulmonary ventilation with exception of patients who are hypersensitive to the drug.
