[Effect of losartan, lisinopril and their combination on hemodynamics and morphofunctional parameters of the heart in patients with chronic cardiac failure].

The aim of the study was to evaluate effects of losartan receptor I antagonist (AT) and/or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (iACE) on clinical manifestations of the disease, hemodynamic characteristics, morphofunctional heart parameters in patients with chronic cardiac insufficiency (CHI) complicating coronary heart disease (CHD). A total of 60 patients aged 48-72 (mean 62 +/- 8.4) years with persistent symptoms of functional class II-IV CHI and left ventricular (LV) fraction = < 45% complicating CHD. They were divided into 3 groups of 20 patients each. Patients in group 1 were given losartan (50 mg daily), in group 2 lisinopril (10 mg daily), in group 3 combination of the two drugs for 24 weeks. Combined treatment produced more significant improvement of CHI symptoms than monotherapy with either drug. In all cases, the size of heart left chambers decreased while contractility of left ventricular myocardium increased but these effects were more pronounced after combined therapy.