The efficacy of captopril in clinical practice
A.G. Yevdokimova, E.V. Kovalenko, L.I. Markova

A.I. Yevdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry

The article gives a brief description, classification and mechanisms of action of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Particular attention is paid to captopril, as the most popular ACE inhibitor, its relevance in real clinical practice is considered. Captopril differs from other representatives of this class by the presence of an additional mechanism of antioxidant protection due to the content of the sulfhydryl group in the chemical structure of the preparation. Captopril promotes inhibition of lipid peroxidation, which is mediated by direct activation of superoxide anion, an increase in nitric oxide and a content inside magnesium cells, which contributes to the expressed cardioprotective, antiischemic effects, and decreases the tolerance to nitrates in patients with ischemic heart disease. Antihypertensive effect of the drug begins in 15–30 minutes, which allows to prescribe it for relieving the acute elevation of blood pressure. Thanks to the increase in the production of prostaglandin E₂, the improvement of the binding of insulin to the receptors, captopril positively affects the parameters of carbohydrate metabolism, reducing insulin resistance. Numerous clinical studies has proved its high efficacy in patients with arterial hypertension and hypertensive crises, acute myocardial infarction, chronic heart failure and diabetic nephropathy.

Key words: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, captopril, arterial hypertension, hypertensive crises, acute myocardial infarction, chronic heart failure, diabetic nephropathy.
For citation: Yevdokimova A.G., Kovalenko E.V., Markova L.I. The efficacy of captopril in clinical practice // RMJ. 2018. № 11(I). P. 65–70.