Evaluation of Blood Pressure and Adverse Effects in Patients Converted from Lisinopril to Benazepril

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare blood pressure, serum creatinine, and serum potassium in stable patients before and after conversion from lisinopril to an equivalent dose of benazepril. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of computer medical and pharmacy records during a one-year period, to obtain the last measured blood pressure, serum creatinine, and serum potassium obtained while patients were receiving lisinopril and again after conversion to benazepril. Certain measurements were excluded to decrease the influence of factors others than the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. SETTING: A Veterans Affairs Medical Center located in the western United States. PATIENTS: 687 patients were evaluated for blood pressure; 433 for serum creatinine; and 422 for serum potassium. The patients were predominantly elderly males. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measures of blood pressure, serum potassium and serum creatinine. RESULTS: No statistical difference was found for systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, or s...