Abstract
New insights from basic laboratory studies and clinical trials have raised the intriguing possibility that the renin-angiotensin-kinin system may play a critical part in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. These studies suggest the possibility of an important new therapeutic role for ACE inhibitors: reduction in the risk of atherosclerosis and the complications of coronary artery disease. Ongoing large-scale trials will establish whether the findings from basic laboratory studies and clinical heart failure trials will apply to patients with ischemic heart disease irrespective of the presence or absence of left ventricular dysfunction.
MeSH terms
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Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
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Animals
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Coronary Disease / drug therapy
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Coronary Disease / metabolism*
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Coronary Vessels / drug effects
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Coronary Vessels / enzymology
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Humans
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Kinins / metabolism
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Myocardium / enzymology*
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Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / drug effects
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Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / metabolism*
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Rabbits
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Rats
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Receptors, Angiotensin / drug effects
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Receptors, Angiotensin / metabolism
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Renin-Angiotensin System / drug effects
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Renin-Angiotensin System / physiology
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Secondary Prevention
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Signal Transduction
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Treatment Outcome
Substances
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Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
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Kinins
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Receptors, Angiotensin
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Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A