Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition in Infarct-Induced Heart Failure in Rats: Bradykinin Versus Angiotensin II

Abstract

Background: The beneficial effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in the prevention of heart failure following myocardial infarction are widely accepted. However, the underlying mechanisms are still a matter of discussion. We therefore investigated the relative contribution of the inhibition of the breakdown of bradykinin and of the inhibition of angiotensin-II synthesis to the beneficial actions of ACE inhibitors in chronic heart failure following myocardial infarction.