Ramipril: a review of its use in preventing cardiovascular outcomes in high-risk patients

Ramipril is an oral, non-sulfhydryl ACE inhibitor thought to act in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system to decrease vasopressor activity, aldosterone secretion, and bradykinin degradation. Ramipril is generally well tolerated and effective in the treatment of patients aged > or =55 years at high risk for the development of cardiovascular (CV) events, in whom the risk of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and CV death can be significantly reduced. The risk of these CV outcomes may also be reduced with ramipril therapy in various subgroups; these include patients with diabetes mellitus, peripheral arterial disease (PAD) or renal insufficiency, and women. Thus, ramipril, in addition to lifestyle interventions, should be considered an important therapy in the prevention of CV outcomes in high-risk patients.

Fasciite avec éosinophilie : discussion de la responsabilité d’un inhibiteur de l’enzyme de conversion de l’angiotensine

Among neuroeosinophilic syndromes, neuromuscular disorders are considered as a special group, including perimyosistis, polymyositis and fasciitis. These three disorders are considered as a continuum. They usually without a recognized cause, and are considered to be spontaneous or exercise-induced. We report the case of a 43 year-old woman who experienced angioedema followed by an histologically proven-fasciitis with eosinophilia after Ramipril (Triatec) use. Causal attribution to Ramipril was considered "plausible". To our knowledge this side effect has never been reported with this drug.

Acute upper airway obstruction from acquired angioedema

C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency is an unusual cause of acute upper airway angioedema. This case of angioedema is secondary to acquired C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency associated with neoplastic disease and triggered by the use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. It was sufficiently severe to require emergency airway management. A guide to the evaluation and management of angioedema is presented.

Aliskiren reduces blood pressure and suppresses plasma renin activity in combination with a thiazide diuretic, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, or an angiotensin receptor blocker

Thiazide diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers all cause reactive rises in plasma renin activity. We hypothesized that renin inhibition with aliskiren would prevent this reactive rise and also enhance blood pressure lowering. In 3 open-label studies in which blood pressure was assessed with ambulatory measurement, aliskiren was administered to patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension in combination with hydrochlorothiazide (n=23), ramipril (n=21), or irbesartan (n=23). In the diuretic combination study, the addition of 25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide to 150 mg of aliskiren daily for 3 weeks significantly lowered daytime pressure, compared with aliskiren monotherapy (systolic/diastolic mean change from baseline [SEM]: daytime: -18.4 [2.1]/ -10.6 [1.7] versus -10.4 [1.8]/-5.8 [1.4]; nighttime: -15.6 [2.7]/-8.1 [1.8] versus -8.8 [2.9]/-5.0 [2.2]). In the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor combination study, the addition of 75 or 150 mg of aliskiren to 5 mg of ramipril alone for 3 weeks further lowered both daytime and nighttime pressures compared with ramipril monotherapy (daytime: -10.5 [2.9]/-8.1 [2.1] and -14 [3.7]/-8.7 [2.3] versus -6.1 [2.4]/-5.9 [1.5]; nighttime: -8.1 [2.6]/-5.3 [2.4] and -9.6 [3.4]/-5.3 [2.4] versus -2 [2.3]/-0.7 [2.2]). In the angiotensin receptor blocker combination study, the addition of 75 or 150 mg of aliskiren to 150 mg of irbesartan alone, for 3 weeks, resulted in significantly lower nighttime pressures compared with irbesartan monotherapy (daytime: -14.8 [2]/-8.2 [1.3] and -13.3 [1.6]/-6.8 [0.9] versus -11.4 [1.6]/-6.5 [1.1]; nighttime: -16.1 [2.4]/-8.6 [1.7] and -13.2 [2.7]/-7.2 [1.9] versus -9.0 [2.5]/-4.7 [1.9]). Aliskiren (150 mg) alone significantly inhibited plasma renin activity by 65% (P<0.0001). Ramipril and irbesartan monotherapy caused 90% and 175% increases in plasma renin activity, respectively. By contrast, when aliskiren was coadministered with hydrochlorothiazide, ramipril, or irbesartan, plasma renin activity did not increase but remained similar to baseline levels or was decreased (combination therapy versus untreated; median [interquartile range]; aliskiren and hydrochlorothiazide: 0.4 [0.2 to 1.1] versus 0.7 [0.5 to 1.3]; ramipril and aliskiren: 0.5 [0.3 to 0.9] versus 0.6 [0.5 to 0.8]; irbesartan and aliskiren: 0.4 [0.2 to 0.9] versus 0.6 [0.4 to 0.9]). These results suggest that renin inhibition with aliskiren in these combinations increases renin-angiotensin system suppression, improves 24-hour blood pressure control, and may ultimately provide better end-organ protection in patients with hypertension.

Redefining the ACE-inhibitor dose-response relationship: substantial blood pressure lowering after massive doses

OBJECTIVES

The blood pressure-lowering dose-response relationship for angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors is assumed to flatten at doses higher than those conventionally used in clinical practice. However, existing clinical trial data do not adequately address the haemodynamic effects of high ACE inhibitor dosages. Therefore, we examined the blood pressure responses in patients presenting to hospital following a deliberate ACE inhibitor overdose.

METHODS

The study design was a retrospective case review, and included all patients who presented to our hospital in the past 5 years after an ACE inhibitor overdose. The data collected were heart rate and systemic blood pressure at various times after ingestion and maximum haemodynamic derangement; these were compared to baseline or recovered values.

RESULTS

Data from 33 patients (24 men) were evaluated. The median (inter-quartile range, IQR) age of the patients was 49 years (IQR: 42-56 years). The median stated dose ingested was 140 mg (IQR: 60-280 mg), which is 20x (IQR: 7-42) the defined daily dose. The maximum fall in systolic blood pressure was 50 mmHg (IQR: 40-64 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure was 35 mmHg (IQR: 26-43 mmHg) and mean blood pressure was 39 mmHg (IQR: 30-47 mmHg).

CONCLUSIONS

The observed reduction in blood pressure following an overdose of an ACE inhibitor was greater than anticipated based on data from therapeutic doses. We conclude that a blood pressure-lowering dose-response relationship extends to higher ACE inhibitor doses than those conventionally used in clinical practice.

Lichenoid and granulomatous stomatitis: an entity or a non-specific inflammatory process?

BACKGROUND

The presence of lichenoid or granulomatous inflammation in an oral mucosal biopsy usually suggests a distinct range of diagnostic possibilities. However, the presence of both patterns of inflammation in the same biopsy is uncommon.

METHODS

A clinico-pathological study of six patients.

RESULTS

All the patients in this study presented with similar mucosal lesions of the upper lip. Microscopically the lesions were characterized by the presence of lichenoid inflammation with concomitant granulomatous inflammation. The lesions were persistent and refractory to treatment with steroid medications, but remained localized and did not appear to herald the onset of systemic inflammatory or neoplastic disease.

CONCLUSION

We propose the designation 'lichenoid and granulomatous stomatitis' for the cases described in this study. The clinico-pathological features of a subset of these cases suggest an unusual drug eruption.

The prospective, randomized investigation of the safety and efficacy of telmisartan versus ramipril using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (PRISMA I)

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy and safety of once-daily telmisartan and ramipril on blood pressure (BP) reductions during the last 6 h of the dosing interval.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint study using ambulatory BP monitoring, 801 patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension were randomly assigned to once-daily treatment with telmisartan 80 mg for 14 weeks or ramipril 5 mg for 8 weeks and then force titrated to ramipril 10 mg for the last 6 weeks. Primary endpoints were the reduction from baseline in the last 6-h mean ambulatory systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP). Secondary endpoints included changes in 24-h, morning, daytime and night-time mean ambulatory BP and ambulatory BP response rates.

RESULTS

Telmisartan 80 mg produced greater reductions in the last 6-h mean ambulatory SBP and DBP compared with ramipril 5 mg (P < 0.0001) and 10 mg (P < 0.0001), and was superior to ramipril for all secondary ambulatory SBP and DBP endpoints (P < 0.05). Ambulatory BP response rates (24-h mean ambulatory SBP/DBP < 130/80 mmHg or reduction from baseline > or = 10 mmHg) were greater with telmisartan 80 mg (P < 0.01) than with ramipril 5 and 10 mg. Ramipril was associated with a higher incidence of treatment-related cough (5.7 versus 0.5% for telmisartan).

CONCLUSIONS

Telmisartan was significantly more effective than ramipril in reducing BP throughout the 24-h dosing interval and particularly during the last 6 h, a time when patients appear to be at greatest risk of cerebro- and cardiovascular events. Both drugs were well tolerated, although ramipril was associated with a higher incidence of cough.

Microalbuminuria and tubular proteinuria as risk predictors of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in essential hypertension: final results of a prospective long-term study (MARPLE Study)*

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of microalbuminuria (MAU) or tubular proteinuria (TPU) on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events and all-cause mortality, and to assess whether a normalization of MAU and/or TPU induced by angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitor-based antihypertensive treatment with ramipril improves cerebrovascular prognosis in essential hypertensive patients without diabetes mellitus.

METHOD

A prospective, controlled, multicenter study was performed involving 3529 hypertensive participants (average follow-up 42.5 months). Ramipril was the basic antihypertensive medication. Proteinuria analysis (albumin, alpha 1-microglobulin, SDS electrophoresis) was performed by quantitative measurement every year. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed once yearly. The main outcome determined was cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events and all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

In patients with TPU and/or MAU, the risk for endpoints increased significantly compared with normal (TPU, 30.0%; MAU, 54.7%; MAU + TPU, 64.0%; macroproteinuria, 74.4%). A change of protein excretion either from pathologic to normal or from normal to pathologic showed a clear trend to correlate with cerebrovascular endpoints (P = 0.056 and P = 0.055). Normal protein excretion at baseline and during follow-up indicated a significantly better prognosis than pathologic proteinuria at baseline and during follow-up. (P < 0.0001). TPU normalized in 31.9%, MAU in 30.6%, MAU + TPU in 29.3%, and macroproteinuria in 10.2% of patients. A total of 445 (25.4%) patients with normal protein excretion developed pathologic proteinuria during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

In non-diabetic hypertensive patients, MAU as well as TPU increases the incidence of cardiovascular events. Normalization of MAU, TPU or macroproteinuria during angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitor-based treatment correlates with a reduction of cardiovascular events. Beyond blood pressure control, normalization of MAU and TPU should be considered as a further therapeutic goal. There is a need for further studies to optimize treatment if proteinuria is unresponsive to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.

Tolerability of ramipril 10 mg daily in high-risk cardiovascular patients in Taiwan: experience from Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital

The Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation (HOPE) study demonstrated that the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, ramipril, significantly reduces mortality, myocardial infarction and stroke in high-risk cardiovascular patients, beyond the benefits from blood pressure lowering. The tolerability of ramipril 10 mg/day has been an important concern when applying these results. Following the same criteria as the HOPE study, we investigated the adverse effects profile and tolerability of 10 mg ramipril in high-risk patients at our institution. In total, 92 patients with high cardiovascular risk were eligible for this study. Initially, ramipril was prescribed 2.5 mg orally once daily, and then titrated up to 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 mg/day at 1-month intervals. The target maintenance dose was 10 mg/day. All adverse events were recorded during at least 3 months of follow-up. After 4-6 months of the titration protocol, only 18 patients (25.3%) reached and remained on ramipril 10 mg/day; 11 (15.5%), 22 (30.9%), and 20 patients (28.2%) remained on 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 mg/day, respectively. Twenty-one patients (22.6%) had at least one adverse event. Twelve patients (13.0%) stopped treatment because of adverse effects. A total of 23 episodes of adverse events were reported, including cough (15.1%), dizziness (6.0%), and hypotension (2.4%). Ramipril was relatively well tolerated in our study population. However, only one-quarter of our patients reached the target maintenance dose of 10 mg/day. Dry cough, dizziness, and hypotension were the major side effects. About 15% of our patients discontinued ramipril treatment, which is comparable with previous reports.

Influence of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor ramipril on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in patients with documented atherosclerosis

Some medications have been shown to produce reductions in hs-CRP levels after initiating therapy. Whereas the role of the renin-angiotensin system in the inflammatory process has been documented in more detail during the last few years, the impact of an ACE-inhibitor therapy on this process has not been fully understood so far. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a therapy with the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor ramipril on hs-CRP plasma concentrations in patients with atherosclerosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 24 patients were enrolled in this prospective, uncontrolled, open-label multicenter study. Inclusion criteria were documented atherosclerosis, baseline high-sensitivity C-reactive protein between 3 and 12 mg/l, LDL-Cholesterol < or =150 mg/dl and no previous treatment with ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers. Ten patients, pretreated with statins, and 10 patients not previously treated with statins were eligible for statistical analysis. Baseline high-sensitivity C-reactive protein was significantly decreased from 3.99+/-1.61 mg/l (mean+/-SD) to 2.72+/-1.19 mg/l (-32%) after 3 months treatment with 10 mg ramipril daily (p=0.0002). The decrease was more pronounced in patients who had not been treated with statins previously (-1.50 mg/l+/-1.44 mg/l) compared to those who were pretreated (-0.90 mg/l+/-0.93 mg/l).

CONCLUSIONS

The ACE inhibitor ramipril administered in a daily dose of 10 mg to patients with atherosclerosis reduces the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentration. This effect may contribute to cardiovascular risk reduction mediated by ramipril aside from the blood pressure lowering effect.

[Tongue angioedema associated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment)]

Angioneurotic edema is a rare (0.1-0.2%) but potentially life-threatening side effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. It can result in serious respiratory distress, airway obstruction and death. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors associated angioedema is clinically poorly recognized and frequently underestimated condition. A case history of patient with angioneurotic edema due to treatment with ramipril is presented. A 51-year-old man has been sequentially treated for two years with atenolol, indapamide, enalapril, and fosinopril due to primary arterial hypertension. When the treatment was switched to ramipril 5 mg twice a day the fourth dose of the drug was followed by swelling of lips, tongue, and pharynx without symptoms of airway obstruction. Ramipril was discontinued, prednisolone 120 mg and loratidine 10 mg were given. Symptoms of angioedema gradually disappeared. Mechanisms of angioedema are not fully clear. Pharmacological action of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors on bradykinin and substance P, immunological mechanisms and disarrangements in complement system are discussed. Treatment includes immediate withdrawal of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and acute therapy with epinephrine 0.3-0.5 ml subcutaneous, 50 mg diphenhydramine s/c or i/v, 40-50 mg methylprednisolone. Future treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors is contraindicated.

Prolonged exposure to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors during pregnancy. Fetal toxicity could be reversible

QUESTION

I read in a Motherisk Update that angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are contraindicated during pregnancy. Many women, however, do not know they are pregnant for quite some time after conception. One of my patients was taking ACE inhibitors for 3 to 4 months while she was pregnant. How should I advise her?

ANSWER

The deleterious effects ACE inhibitors have on fetuses were seen only after exposure during the second and third trimesters and were mostly secondary to renal damage. These effects can be reversed, as described in this Motherisk Update.

Patient mit schwerer Hyperkaliämie - ein Notfall nach RALES

HISTORY AND ADMISSION FINDINGS

A 59-year-old man was referred to the hospital for psychiatric reasons. To control hypertension and chronic heart failure he had been treated with 5 mg ramipril and 12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide. In addition, he received 25 mg spironolactone. A prostate disease was diagnosed two months ago.

INVESTIGATIONS

Laboratory analysis revealed a severe hyperkalemia (9.3 mmol/l) as well as an increase in creatinine (24.3 mg/dl) and urea nitrogen (349.0 mg/dl). The ECG showed a bradycardia with increased T-wave amplitudes. Abdominal sonography revealed a full urinary bladder.

TREATMENT AND COURSE

Administration of terbutaline, sodium bicarbonate, and glucoseinfusion lowered potassium level to 6.3 mmol/l before hemodialysis was started. Hyperplasia of the prostate gland was found to be the reason for acute renal failure. Dialysis treatment was only temporarily necessary; afterwards, the patient was transferred to the urology department for subsequent therapy.

CONCLUSION

Hyperkalemia is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate therapy. Conservative treatment allows to partially correct water-electrolyte imbalance until hemodialysis can be performed. Hyperkalemia often results from the administration of combination therapy with ACE-inhibitors/AT (1)-antaganonists and antikaliuretic diuretics (spironolactone) in renal failure.

The HOPE TIPS: The HOPE Study Translated into Practices

The HOPE TIPS study assessed the practicality and tolerability of ramipril titration to a target dose of 10 mg (as achieved in definitive efficacy studies) in a clinical practice setting. 3881 patients at high cardiovascular risk (HOPE study criteria) were recruited in primary and specialist care settings in 9 countries by 439 investigators. Dose titration of ramipril from 2.5 mg to 10 mg daily took place over 9-12 weeks. The mean age of the patients was 64 years, 60% were male and 79% Asian. The target dosage of 10 mg daily was reached in 73% of patients with 96% of patients achieving 5 mg or 10 mg daily. During the study period uncontrolled hypertension (> 160/90) was recorded in 15% of patients, myocardial infarction or unstable angina 1.6%, heart failure 0.4%, new diabetes 0.6%. Only 9.8% of patients discontinued treatment with 5.9% attributed to treatment side-effects and 4% related to cough. The large majority of patients in a wide range of clinical practice settings with high cardiovascular risk can be treated with ramipril titrated to 10 mg daily with good tolerability.

Serum potassium, cardiovascular risk, and effects of an ACE inhibitor: results of the HOPE Study

BACKGROUND

Both hyper- and hypokalemia increase cardiovascular risk. Modest hyperkalemia is common with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition. We studied post-hoc the association of an initial, on-treatment serum potassium measurement with subsequent cardiovascular outcomes over 4.5 years in 9297 individuals at high cardiovascular risk, randomized to an ACE inhibitor or to placebo.

METHODS

Post-hoc analysis of cardiovascular outcomes, as related to serum potassium levels, in the HOPE (Heart Outcomes and Prevention Evaluation) study which compared ramipril to placebo, and included 692 patients with a serum potassium level >5.0 mM and 137 with a serum potassium level <3.5 mM, defined as hyper- and hypokalemia, respectively. Serum potassium was measured 1 month after start of randomized treatment.

RESULTS

With hyperkalemia, the primary event rate was unchanged compared to normokalemia (15.5 vs 15.7%, p > 0.4, respectively), with hypokalemia, the primary event rate was higher (22.6% vs 15.5%, respectively, p = 0.023). The hazard ratio for the primary outcome associated with this initial hypokalemia was 1.44 (1.00-2.06) on multivariate analysis. The combined primary outcome (myocardial infarction, cardiovascular death, stroke) was not different throughout deciles of serum potassium but the lowest and highest deciles included many with normokalemia. Randomized treatment was withheld because of hyperkalemia in 8 and 6 people allocated to ramipril and placebo, respectively. The benefit of ramipril on cardiovascular outcomes was independent of serum potassium, but ramipril reduced hypokalemia in the entire cohort (1.15 vs 1.86% with placebo, p = 0.005), particularly in those participants on diuretics (3.8% vs 6.5%, p = 0.07).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients at high cardiovascular risk, modest hypokalemia predicts a less favorable outcome while modest hyperkalemia does not. Ramipril reduces hypokalemia and decreases risk.

Ramiprii-induced Agranulocytosis Confirmed by a Lymphocyte Cytotoxicity Test

A 50-year-old man who had chronic renal failure presented with neutropenic fever four days after ramipril was initiated. Agranulocytosis due to other causes was ruled out after a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy examination were performed. A relationship between the drug and the adverse effect was suggested. It was established by a novel lymphocyte cytotoxicity test.

Acute pancreatitis due to ramipril therapy

Few data exist about the incidence of drug induced acute pancreatitis in the general population. Drugs are related to the aetiology of pancreatitis in about 1.4%-2% of cases. Although angiotensin converting enzymes are generally well tolerated, acute pancreatitis has been reported in a few subjects treated with captopril, enalapril, and lisinopril. A 85 year old man with a long standing history of hypertension, who was treated with ramipril 5 mg once daily, presented with acute pancreatitis. Other causes of the disease were ruled out. After cessation of ramipril his condition improved and amylase level decreased. This was his third episode of acute pancreatitis since ramipril was started in 2000. To the authors' knowledge ramipril induced pancreatitis has not previously been reported.

Antihypertensive and antiproteinuric efficacy of ramipril in children with chronic renal failure

BACKGROUND

While the antihypertensive and renoprotective potency of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors is well-established in adults with hypertension and/or chronic renal failure, little experience exists in pediatric chronic kidney disease.

METHODS

As part of a prospective assessment of the renoprotective efficacy of ACE inhibition and intensified blood pressure (BP) control, 397 children (ages 3 to 18 years) with chronic renal failure [CRF; glomerular filtration rate (GFR) 11 to 80 mL/min/1.73 m2] and elevated or high-normal BP received ramipril (6 mg/m2) following a 6-month run-in period including a two-month washout of any previous ACE inhibitors. Drug efficacy was assessed by two monthly office BP and proteinuria assessments, and by ambulatory BP monitoring at start and after 6 months of treatment.

RESULTS

In the 352 patients completing six months of treatment, 24-hour mean arterial pressure (MAP) had decreased by a mean of 11.5 mm Hg (-2.2 SDS) in initially hypertensive subjects, but only by 4.4 mm Hg (-0.8 SDS) in patients with initially normal BP. A linear correlation was found between MAP at baseline and the change of MAP during treatment (r= 0.51; P < 0.0001). The antihypertensive response was independent of changes in concomitant antihypertensive medication or underlying renal disease. BP was reduced with equal efficacy during day- and nighttime. Urinary protein excretion was reduced by 50% on average, with similar relative efficacy in patients with hypo/dysplastic nephropathies and glomerulopathies. The magnitude of proteinuria reduction depended on baseline proteinuria (r= 0.32, P < 0.0001), and was correlated with the antihypertensive efficacy of the drug (r= 0.22, P < 0.001). The incidence of rapid rises in serum creatinine and progression to end-stage CRF during treatment did not differ from the pretreatment observation period. Mean serum potassium increased by 0.3 mmol/L. Ramipril was discontinued in three patients due to symptomatic hypotension or hyperkalemia. Hemoglobin levels decreased by 0.6 g/dL in the first two treatment months and remained stable thereafter.

CONCLUSION

Ramipril appears to be an effective and safe antihypertensive and antiproteinuric agent in children with CRF-associated hypertension. The BP lowering and antiproteinuric effects are greatest in severely hypertensive and proteinuric children.