Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibition and Peripheral Arterial Disease

Leg pain caused by peripheral arterial disease (PAD) can severely impede walking ability. Our preliminary findings indicate that the drug ramipril is much more effective in improving walking ability than current therapies. To be accepted as a new treatment for PAD these findings require validation in a much larger clinical trial.We propose to examine the effects of ramipril therapy for 6 months in a randomized, controlled trial of patients with PAD. If positive, this study will identify ramipril as a potential new therapy for PAD.