Department of Endocrinology, Cleveland Clinic, OH 44195, USA. hoogweb@ccf.org
The Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation (HOPE) study found that the ACE inhibitor ramipril can lower the risk of atherosclerotic disease events and death in patients without heart failure but with known atherosclerosis or with diabetes plus at least one cardiovascular risk factor. This benefit was independent of ramipril's effect on blood pressure. Additional benefits were a reduced risk of diabetic nephropathy in diabetic patients, and a lower likelihood of newly diagnosed diabetes. On the other hand, vitamin E in the doses and duration studied (400 IU/day for 4.5 years) did not lower risk significantly.