Combined inhibition of neutral endopeptidase and angiotensin-converting enzyme by sampatrilat in essential hypertension*

Abstract
The antihypertensive response to angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors may be attenuated by a compensatory decrease in atrial natriuretic factor production. If so, inhibition of atrial natriuretic factor breakdown by neutral endopeptidase (NEP) may enhance the antihypertensive effects of ACE inhibition. We compared effects of the combined ACE‐NEP inhibitor sampatrilat, lisinopril, and placebo on blood pressure, plasma ACE, and renin activity and urinary cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) of patients with hypertension.