The Change of Plasmatic Endothelin Level in CHF and the Curative Effect of Captopril

Objective: To study the relationship of endothelin(ET) level and severity of congestive heart failure(CHF) and the curative effect of captopril. Methods: The plasmatic concentration of ET was detected with radioimmunoassay(RTA) . 69 patients with CHF were selected to experimental group(CHF group) and 30 normal persons to control group. In 69 patients with CHF, 12 cases who did not been treated with Captopril because of contraindication were branded as no- captopril-group, 57 cases treated with captopril as captopril-group. ET level was measured in admission and 4 weeks later. It was measures again in 8 and 12 weeks in 42 cases of follow-up survey in captopril-group. Results: Compared with control group, the plasmatic concentration of ET increased obviously(P0.01) in CHF group. After 4 weeks, the concentration of ET in captopril-group fell more obviously than that in no- captopril-group. In 42 cases of follow-up survey in captopril-group, the concentration of ET was no difference in 8 and 12 weeks. Conclusions: ET takes part in the generation and development of CHF and has active effect with severity of CHF. ACEI can reduce the plasmatic concentration of ET.