ACE inhibitors - effective drugs of modern cardiology

Angiotensin converting factor or ACE inhibitors are powerful vasodilators used in cardiology for the treatment of hypertension. The effect of this group of drugs is the prolonged blocking of the adrenal hormone angiotensin II, the main pressor factor, which affects the amount of blood pressure. ACE inhibitors prevent the disintegration of bradykinin, which also affects the state of the vessels, and hence the height of blood pressure. These drugs contribute to an increase in the content of vasodilating prostaglandins in the blood, reduce the symptoms of chronic heart failure, which is often observed in patients with essential hypertension. At the same time, ACE inhibitors, unlike other drugs that reduce blood pressure, do not affect the metabolism of glucose and lipids, reduce the release of kidney protein.

ACE inhibitors have been used for more than 40 years. The first of this group of drugs in 1975 was synthesized captopril, used today. A few years later, enalapril and lisinopril were obtained. They were replaced by more modern inhibitors of the ACE of the new generation.

In modern cardiology, ACE inhibitors are used as the main drugs for the treatment of hypertension , coronary heart disease, chronic heart failure.

ACE inhibitors classification

There are several classifications of ACE inhibitors, which are based on ways to remove drugs from the body, depending on the chemical group in the molecule interacting with the center of the ACE, on the activity of the action. The most common classification of pharmacological action.

By pharmacological action, all angiotensin-converting factor inhibitors are divided into three groups.

The first group includes captopril or kapoten, which directly inhibits, that is, inhibits the activity of the conversion of the hormone angiotensin I into the subsequent phase, angiotensin II. To maintain a normal level of blood pressure, captopril or hood takes three to four times a day.

The second group includes enalapril, ramipril, trandalopril, cilazipril, fosinopril, quinapril and other drugs that are converted in the body into active compounds that have a vasodilating effect. These drugs are enough to take only once a day.

Finally, the third group includes lisinopril, zestril, prinivil, prestarium or perindopril. ACE inhibitors of the third group are recommended to take one or two times during the day.

Side effect of ACE inhibitors

When taking this group of drugs, you should remember about the possible development of unwanted effects. In some cases, with the intake of ACE inhibitors, dry cough, increased potassium levels in the blood, dizziness, an allergic skin rash, angioedema may appear. These complications are completely eliminated after the drug is discontinued. Dry cough appears on the third-fifth day of treatment. Its appearance is associated with the accumulation of bradykinin in the lungs. Cough completely disappears after stopping the intake of inhibitors. Some patients may lose their appetite and taste.

One of the main contraindications to the use of ACE inhibitors is the bilateral narrowing of the renal arteries. In this case, the arterial pressure is increased due to an increase in the level of renin in the blood, to which these drugs do not act.

With special care, ACE inhibitors should be prescribed for chronic liver and kidney disease with the development of symptoms of hepatic and renal insufficiency.