Severity of heart failure and dosage of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors

Abstract

We examined the drug regimens of 157 patients seen by two consultants in a specialist clinic for chronic heart failure. Chronic heart failure was diagnosed from the finding of impaired left ventricular function on echocardiography, radionuclide ventriculography, or cardiac catheterisation. All patients underwent exercise testing with metabolic gas exchange measurements. All had been reviewed at least once while taking their current angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and had had no change in drug treatment in the previous six weeks.