The Effect of Enalapril Maleate on Cerebral Blood Flow in Chronic Cerebral Infarction

Abstract

The influence of long-term oral administration of enalapril maleate (an an giotensin II-converting enzyme inhibitor) on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was studied in 10 patients with chronic cerebral infarction. The rCBF was meas ured by a 133Xe inhalation method before and after a mean of sixty-five days' administration of 5 mg of enalapril. Results: Mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) was mildly decreased in 6 pa tients, but the average change in MABP was not significant (Endtidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PeCO2) was not changed significantly. The mean rCBF was increased by 8% after administration of enalapril (0.05 < p<0.1) There was no significant correlation between percent change in MABP and the percent change in rCBF. These results indicate that enalapril has not only antihyperten sive action but also a beneficial effect on the cerebral circulation in patients with chronic cerebral infarction.