Normalization of ventricular late potentials by captopril in survivors of myocardial infraction with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction

This study included 32 MI [myocardial infarction] survivors aged 37-67 years [52 +/- 1.5] [mean +/- SEM] with EF <45% [echocardiographic, biplane area length method] whose signal-averaged electrocardiogram [SAEKG] [standard criteria, time domain analysis] was abnormal 33 +/- 3.3 D after MI. Eighteen patients received captopril [35 mg tid for eight weeks] [active group] while 13 received no ACEI [control]. No patients had bundle branch block, syncope, antiarrhythmic drugs or underwent revascularization procedure. Active and control groups were comparable regarding age, gender, thrombolytic therapy, prevalence of hypertension, time after MI, percentage of anterior MR, FF and prevalence of angina. SAEKG was repeated after eight weeks for both groups. Data of 1st and 2nd recordings showed favorable alteration of all parameters. Out of 13 patients without captopril, only one normalized his SAEKG, whereas 17 of 19 patients on captopril normalized at the same period. Shortening of QRS correlated to EF rise