Comparison of baseline data, initial course, and management: Losartan versus captopril following acute myocardial infarction (The OPTIMAAL trial)

The OPTIMAAL study was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, parallel, t rial in high-risk patients who were treated early after acute myocardial in farction that compared treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhi bitor (captopril) and a selective angiotensin II antagonist (losartan) on s urvival and morbidity. A total of 5,477 patients with heart failure during the acute phase or with a new Q-wave anterior infarction or reinfarction we re recruited. This study describes the baseline data and initial course of the cohort and compares these data and patient management across countries.