What are the potential benefits of ACE inhibitors in patients with cardiac or other vascular disease?
ACE inhibitors have been shown to reduce mortality in patients with recent MI, primarily those with LV dysfunction (LVEF <0.40) with or without pulmonary congestion. In patients with normal LV function (including those with diabetes mellitus), total mortality and MACE (including HF) are reduced. A metaanalysis demonstrated a small but significant (0.48%) absolute benefit of early initiation of an ACE inhibitor on survival at 30 days, with benefit seen as early as 24 hours after admission for AMI.