PLACENTAL PASSAGE OF ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME-INHIBITORS

OBJECTIVE: Placental passage of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhi bitors temocapril and enalapril was investigated in a placental perfus ion model. STUDY DESIGN: In an open system a placental robe was perfus ed on both the maternal and the fetal side with a blood-free medium co ntaining the test substances plus a reference substance on the materna l side. Six placentas were perfused with temocapril and five with enal april. The drugs were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry . RESULTS: Both angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors crossed the h uman placenta in the maternal-fetal direction in similar quantities. T emocapril showed the same pharmacokinetic characteristics as enalapril . CONCLUSIONS: This was the first study to quantify the placental tran sfer of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. These antihypertensi ve agents should not be taken during pregnancy, to avoid any potential hazards to the fetus.