The impact of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors on managed care: economic, clinical, and humanistic outcomes.

This article examines evidence of the improved clinical, economic, and humanistic outcomes associated with the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) in clinical practice, in particular in the areas of hypertension, diabetic nephropathies, post-myocardial infarction, and congestive heart failure. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic differences may exist among this class, however, these may not be clinically relevant when the drugs are given in equivalent doses. Although additional studies are necessary before a class effect can be assumed for each of these outcomes, it is important for clinicians to consider all of these outcomes when using ACEIs.