Should ACE inhibitors be used for only 6 weeks after myocardial infarction or only in patients with low ejection fraction?
A. While initial studies were done in low ejection fractions or used ACE inhibitors for only 6 weeks after myocardial infarction, new trials clearly demonstrate that all patients with atherosclerosis have reduced risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiac mortality and total mortality with ACE inhibitor treatment. ACE inhibitors benefit patients with normal or reduced ejection fraction, normal or elevated blood pressure, early or late after myocardial infarction, diabetes or no diabetes. Thus similar to aspirin, a diagnosis of coronary, cerebral, or peripheral vascular disease, is indication for ACE inhibitor treatment.
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