Combined Aspirin/ACE Inhibitor Treatment for CHF

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature evaluating the interaction between angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and aspirin in patients with congesitve heart failure (CHF). DATA SOURCES: A literature search through MEDLINE (1966–March 2001) and EMBASE (1966–March 2001) identified randomized, double-blind, controlled trials evaluating the use of ACE inhibitors and aspirin in patients with CHF. DATA SYNTHESIS: No prospective study has evaluated the effects of aspirin and ACE inhibitors on clinical outcomes of patients with CHF. All have been short-term studies evaluating the effects on hemodynamic parameters only. CONCLUSIONS: While the potential for an interaction between ACE inhibitors and aspirin exists, the results from ongoing prospective trials will help determine the efficacy of using both agents in patients with CHF.