Inhibitors of the angiotensin I converting enzyme as antihypertensive drugs.

Inhibitors of the angiotensin I converting enzyme (captopril, enalapril) offer a new principle in the drug treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure. The present survey deals with the mode of action of the converting enzyme inhibitors, including possible interference with the renin-angiotensin systems in the kidney, the vascular wall and the brain, with the kallikrein--bradykinin system and with the sympathetic nervous system, at both pre- and postjunctional sites. Furthermore, the haemodynamic pattern as well as the therapeutic applications are discussed, including the most important side-effects, contra-indications, interactions and clinical pharmacokinetic properties.