Comparison of Candesartan, Enalapril, and Their Combination in Congestive Heart Failure

Abstract

Background—We investigated the effects of candesartan (an angiotensin II antagonist) alone, enalapril alone, and their combination on exercise tolerance, ventricular function, quality of life (QOL), neurohormone levels, and tolerability in congestive heart failure (CHF). Methods and Results—Seven hundred sixty-eight patients in New York Heart Association functional class (NYHA-FC) II to IV with ejection fraction (EF) <0.40 and a 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) <500 m received either candesartan (4, 8, or 16 mg), candesartan (4 or 8 mg) plus 20 mg of enalapril, or 20 mg of enalapril for 43 weeks. There were no differences among groups with regard to 6MWD, NYHA-FC, or QOL. EF increased (P=NS) more with candesartan-plus-enalapril therapy (0.025±0.004) than with candesartan alone (0.015±0.004) or enalapril alone(0.015±0.005). End-diastolic (EDV) and end-systolic (ESV) volumes increased less with combination therapy (EDV 8±4 mL; ESV 1±4 mL; P<0.01) than with candesartan alone (EDV 27±4 mL; ESV 18±3 mL) or enalap...