[Treatment of severe arterial hypertension with captopril (SQ 14.225) (author's transl)].

Captopril, an inhibitor of the angiotensin-converting enzyme, was administered for 9 to 13 months to 11 patients with severe arterial hypertension and/or hypertension resistant to conventional treatments. The drug had to be discontinued in 2 patients on account of skin rash or peripheral neuropathy. In the remaining 9 patients, return of blood pressure to normal levels was obtained with combined captopril and diuretic treatment, except in one case where captopril alone proved sufficient. The anti-hypertensive effect developed over several weeks. No rebound phenomenon was observed after temporary arrest of captopril. Positive correlation was noted between the fall in blood pressure induced by the first dose of captopril and the patients' initial plasma renin activity. Captopril appears to be of considerable interest for the treatment of severe hypertension, even when it is associated with renal insufficiency.