Do ACE inhibitors reduce mortality and morbidity in patients with symptomatic congestive heart failure?
ACE inhibitors significantly reduce total mortality and hospitalizations for congestive heart failure across a broad range of symptomatic patients, with the greatest benefit seen in those with the lowest ejection fraction.
Objective. —To evaluate the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors on mortality and morbidity in patients with symptomatic congestive heart failure. Data Sources and Study Selection. —Data were obtained for all completed, published or unpublished, randomized, placebo-controlled trials of ACE inhibitors that were at least 8 weeks in duration and had determined total mortality by intention to treat, regardless of sample size. Trials were identified based on literature review and correspondence with investigators and pharmaceutical firms. Data Extraction. —Using standard tables, data were extracted by one author and confirmed where necessary by the other author or the principal investigator of the trial. Unpublished data were obtained by direct correspondence with the principal investigator of each study or pharmaceutical firm. Data Synthesis. —The data for each outcome were combined using the Yusuf-Peto adaptation of the Mantel-Haenszel method. Overall, there was a statistically significant reduction in total mortality (odds ratio OR, 0.77; 95% confidence interval CI, 0.67 to 0.88;PPConclusions. —Total mortality and hospitalization for congestive heart failure are significantly reduced by ACE inhibitors with consistent effects in a broad range of patients. (JAMA. 1995;273:1450-1456)
Rekha Garg (1995) studied this question.