Clinical and hemodynamic studies on effect of single dose and 2-weeks continuous oral enalapril in patients with heart failure

Clinical and hemodynamic studies were carried out with the purpose of evaluating the effects of enalapril in the treatment of chronic heart failure. Enalapril 10—20 mg was given once a day to 10 patients with moderate to severe congestive heart failure（coronary 6,hypertensive heart disease 2 and idiopathic congestive cardiomyopathy.）. Hemodynamic studies were done on the first day after drug administration,the same daily dose was maitained for 2 weeks. The results showed a 18.29% decrease in mean BP（p＜0.01）,40.4% in CVP,23.9% in mPAP,41.2% in PCWP,39.9% and 41.3% in SVR and PVR respectively（P＜0.001）.Cardiac index increased 44.16%（P＜0.001）.The theraputic action maintained and lasted for more than 24 hours by one dose.No further drop of BP 2 weeks later.Six patients primarily in NYHA class Ⅲ and 2 in Class Ⅳ improved to class Ⅱ.No severe side effects were found. The results showed that enalapril was well tolerated in single dose as well as in 2 weeks continous therapy,showing both hemodynamic and subjective sympton improvement.