Hyperkalemia in Outpatients Using Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

Hyperkalemia in outpatients using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. How much should we worry?

BACKGROUND Hyperkalemia is a potentially life-threatening complication resulting from the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors; data to guide the intensity of monitoring for or responding to hyperkalemia in outpatients are limited. METHODS Case-control methodological procedures were used to identify risk factors for hyperkalemia. Outpatients prescribed ACE inhibitors during 1...

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme in Sarcoidosis

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.

The purpose of this brief review is to separate the characteristic properties and side effects attributable to the pharmacology of the whole class of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors from those attributable to the chemical structure and kinetics of each particular ACE inhibitor. The former would be predictable and probably similar for all agents and, therefore, would be expected t...

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.

ACE inhibitors have achieved widespread usage in the treatment of cardiovascular and renal disease. ACE inhibitors alter the balance between the vasoconstrictive, salt-retentive, and hypertrophic properties of angiotensin II (Ang II) and the vasodilatory and natriuretic properties of bradykinin and alter the metabolism of a number of other vasoactive substances. ACE inhibitors differ in the che...

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in pregnancy.

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are excellent antihypertensive agents and are becoming widely used as first-line therapy for chronic hypertension in women of reproductive age owing to their efficacy and few side effects. Reports of adverse fetal and neonatal effects from the use of ACE inhibitors in pregnancy in both animal and human studies prompted recommendations against their...