Congestive heart failure Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors
Editor(s)-In-Chief: James Chang, M.D., Cardiovascular Division Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston MA, Harvard Medical School [1] and C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [2], Cardiovascular Division Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston MA, Harvard Medical School; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, M.B.B.S. [3] Mitra Chitsazan, M.D.[4]
Overview
The Collaborative Group on ACE Inhibitor Trials demonstrated significant reduction in total mortality and hospitalization with the administration of ACEIs that was consistent among wide range of patients.[1]
ACE Inhibitors
Indications for ACE Inhibitors Use
1. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is ≤ 40%
or
2. There is a prior history of myocardial infarction (MI)
Background
- ACE-I or ARB therapy is recommended for ANY patient with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (≤ 40%) regardless of the etiology of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ischemic or nonischemic) or presence/absence of symptoms. Patients with or without heart failure (in other words, even those with asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction) are included in this recommendation.
- In addition, ACE-I or ARB therapy is indicated for patients with history of myocardial infarction whether or not left ventricular systolic dysfunction or heart failure is present.
- ACE-I or ARB therapy is also recommended for patients who are at high risk for the development of heart failure due to the presence of coronary, cerebrovascular, or peripheral vascular disease.
- Treatment should not be deferred in patients with few or no symptoms because of the significant mortality benefit derived from ACEI therapy.
Dosing
- ACE-Is should be uptitrated to the maximum tolerated recommended doses.
- Uptitration can be done gradually every 4 to 6 weeks.
| ACE-I | Starting dose | Target dose |
|---|---|---|
| Captopril | 6.25 mg t.i.d. | 50 mg t.i.d. |
| Enalapril | 2.5 mg b.i.d. | 10-20 mg b.i.d. |
| Lisinopril | > 2.5-5 mg daily | 20-35 mg daily |
| Ramipril | > 2.5 mg b.i.d. | 5 mg b.i.d. |
| Trandolapril | > 0.5 mg daily | 4 mg daily |
Complications
- 5-10 % patients cannot tolerate ACE inhibitors because of cough. Cough can be a sign of elevated left-sided filling pressures or a side effect of ACE inhibitors due to excess bradykinin.
- ARBs are reserved for patients who are intolerant of ACE-Is for reasons (such as persistent cough) OTHER than hyperkalemia, progression of chronic kidney disease/worsening azotemia, or hypotension caused by prior ACE-I therapy. If a patient experiences hyperkalemia, worsening azotemia, or hypotension as a result of ACE-I therapy, the same is likely to result from ARB therapy. In the CHARM study candesartan reduced both hospitalization and mortality.[2][3]
- Renal artery stenosis should be considered if there’s a decline in renal function with the initiation of ACE inhibitors.
2017 ACC/AHA/HFSA Focused Update of the 2013 ACCF/AHA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines and the Heart Failure Society of America
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors in Patients Presenting With Heart Failure (DO NOT EDIT) [4][5]
| Class I |
|
1. The clinical strategy of inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system with ACE inhibitors (Level of Evidence: A), OR ARBs (Level of Evidence: A), OR ARNI (Level of Evidence: B-R) in conjunction with evidence-based beta blockers, and aldosterone antagonists in selected patients, is recommended for patients with chronic HFrEF to reduce morbidity and mortality. (Class I, Level of Evidence: A) |
|
2. The use of ACE inhibitors is beneficial for patients with prior or current symptoms of chronic HFrEF to reduce morbidity and mortality. (Class I, Level of Evidence: A) |
| Class III (No Benefit) |
| “1. Routine combined use of an ACE inhibitor, ARB, and aldosterone antagonist is not recommended for patients with current or prior symptoms of heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). (Level of Evidence: C) ” |
Vote on and Suggest Revisions to the Current Guidelines
External Links
- The ACC/AHA 2005 Guideline Update for the Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Heart Failure in the Adult [4]
- 2009 focused update: ACCF/AHA Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Heart Failure in Adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines: developed in collaboration with the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation [5]
References
- ↑ Garg R, Yusuf S (1995). “Overview of randomized trials of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors on mortality and morbidity in patients with heart failure. Collaborative Group on ACE Inhibitor Trials”. JAMA : the Journal of the American Medical Association. 273 (18): 1450–6. PMID 7654275. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help);|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ↑ Pfeffer MA, Swedberg K, Granger CB, Held P, McMurray JJ, Michelson EL, Olofsson B, Ostergren J, Yusuf S, Pocock S (2003). “Effects of candesartan on mortality and morbidity in patients with chronic heart failure: the CHARM-Overall programme”. Lancet. 362 (9386): 759–66. PMID 13678868. Retrieved 2012-04-03. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ Young JB, Dunlap ME, Pfeffer MA, Probstfield JL, Cohen-Solal A, Dietz R, Granger CB, Hradec J, Kuch J, McKelvie RS, McMurray JJ, Michelson EL, Olofsson B, Ostergren J, Held P, Solomon SD, Yusuf S, Swedberg K (2004). “Mortality and morbidity reduction with Candesartan in patients with chronic heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction: results of the CHARM low-left ventricular ejection fraction trials”. Circulation. 110 (17): 2618–26. doi:10.1161/01.CIR.0000146819.43235.A9. PMID 15492298. Retrieved 2012-04-03. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ 4.0 4.1 Hunt SA, Abraham WT, Chin MH, Feldman AM, Francis GS, Ganiats TG, Jessup M, Konstam MA, Mancini DM, Michl K, Oates JA, Rahko PS, Silver MA, Stevenson LW, Yancy CW, Antman EM, Smith SC Jr, Adams CD, Anderson JL, Faxon DP, Fuster V, Halperin JL, Hiratzka LF, Jacobs AK, Nishimura R, Ornato JP, Page RL, Riegel B; American College of Cardiology; American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines; American College of Chest Physicians; International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation; Heart Rhythm Society. ACC/AHA 2005 Guideline Update for the Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Heart Failure in the Adult: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Update the 2001 Guidelines for the Evaluation and Management of Heart Failure): developed in collaboration with the American College of Chest Physicians and the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation: endorsed by the Heart Rhythm Society. Circulation. 2005 Sep 20; 112(12): e154-235. Epub 2005 Sep 13. PMID 16160202
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Jessup M, Abraham WT, Casey DE, Feldman AM, Francis GS, Ganiats TG et al. (2009) 2009 focused update: ACCF/AHA Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Heart Failure in Adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines: developed in collaboration with the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. Circulation 119 (14):1977-2016. DOI:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.109.192064 PMID: 19324967
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