Captopril in the Treatment of Hypertension

Excerpt

Intensive research on the components of the reninangiotensin system over the past 2 decades has finally culminated in the introduction of a new mode of therapy for hypertension, inhibition of the angiotensin-converting enzyme. This enzyme catalyzes the last step in the formation of angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor and steroidogenic hormone whose participation in the development and maintenance of hypertension is now well established.

This novel approach to antihypertensive treatment is now being added to the existing three broad categories of antihypertensive drugs: diuretics, sympatholytic agents, and vasodilators. Angiotensin-Converting enzyme inhibitors have effects most comparable to those of vasodilators except