Long-term combined therapy with losartan and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor improves functional capacity in patients with left ventricular dysfunction.

Objective: The efficacy of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in the treatment of heart failure (HF) is well documented. However, ACE inhibitors may provide incomplete blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system due to the alternative pathways for the production of angiotensin II (Ang II). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of combined therapy of an ACE inhibitor and the Ang II receptor blocker losartan in patients with HF by using cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) on a treadmill.