EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF RAMIPRIL IN LONG-TERM TREATMENT OF CONGESTIVE-HEART-FAILURE

The long-term efficacy and safety of ramipril, a long-acting angiotens in-converting enzyme inhibitor, were evaluated in 126 patients with mo derate-to-severe congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association [NYHA] functional classes II to IV at baseline) in an open, multicente r trial lasting 96 weeks. An improvement in functional class, peripher al edema, and pulmonary congestion was evident after 2 weeks. At 12 we eks, improvement had reached a plateau, which was maintained throughou t the 99 weeks of treatment; 89.3% of patients showed an improvement i n NYHA class from baseline to endpoint. The improvements in peripheral edema and pulmonary congestion were statistically significant for cha nge from baseline to endpoint (P < 0.001, P < 0.0001, respectively; Bo wker's symmetry test). Secondary variables of congestive heart failure , such as orthopnea and nocturnal dyspnea, also improved substantially . There were no significant changes in laboratory variables. Ramipril is an effective and well-tolerated therapy for the long-term treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe congestive heart failure.