Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition as an Adjunct to Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Rationale: Epidemiological studies in older individuals have found an association between the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition (ACE-I) therapy and preserved locomotor muscle mass, strength, and walking speed. ACE-I therapy might therefore have a role in the context of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR).

Objectives: To investigate the hypothesis that enalapril, an ACE inhibitor, would augment the improvement in exercise capacity seen during PR.