Comparison of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in the treatment of congestive heart failure.

The effectiveness of the different angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in the treatment of patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) was compared by performing a retrospective cohort study using linked administrative databases on elderly patients admitted to the hospital for the treatment of CHF. Relative to those initiated on enalapril, no significant differences in the combined end point of readmission to the hospital for CHF or mortality were observed among users of lisinopril, ramipril, or other ACE inhibitors. In terms of effectiveness for the treatment of patients with CHF, the findings of this study suggest a class effect among ACE inhibitors.