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Publication Briefs

Study Suggests ACE Inhibitors May Benefit Patients with Pneumonia


Community-acquired pneumonia is the seventh leading cause of death and the leading cause of infectious death in the United States. Recent studies suggest that angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors may have beneficial effects for patients with, or at risk for pneumonia. Other research also suggests that ACE inhibitors that are lipophilic may be superior to hydrophilic ACE inhibitors in terms of tissue penetration and inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme. This study examined the association of prior outpatient lipophilic versus hydrophilic ACE inhibitor use on 30-day mortality for 787 patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia at two academic tertiary care hospitals between 1/99 and 12/02.

Findings show that prior outpatient use of lipophilic, but not hydrophilic ACE inhibitors was associated with decreased 30-day mortality for patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia. Study results also provide further support demonstrating that ACE inhibitor use, in general, is associated with decreased mortality for patients with pneumonia.

PubMed Logo Mortensen E, Restrepo M, Copeland L, Pugh J, and Anzueto A. Association of hydrophilic versus lipophilic ACE inhibitor use on pneumonia-related mortality. American Journal of the Medical Sciences December 2008;336(6):462-466.

This study was partly funded through HSR&D. Drs. Mortensen, Restrepo and Copleand are part of HSR&D’s Veterans Evidence-Based Research Dissemination and Implementation Center (VERDICT), San Antonio, TX.

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HSR requires notification by HSR-funded investigators about all articles accepted for publication. These journal articles are reviewed by HSR and publication briefs or summaries are written for a select number of articles that are then forwarded to VHA Central Office leadership to keep them informed about important findings or information. Articles to be summarized are selected by HSR based on timeliness of the findings, interest of leadership, or potential impact on the organization. Publication briefs are written for only a small number of HSR published articles. Visit the HSR citations database for a complete listing of HSR articles and presentations.

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