Microcirculatory effects of angiotensin II inhibitors in patients with severe heart failure

In patients with severe heart failure, introduction of angiotensin antagonist therapy was associated with an early improvement in the microcirculation that persisted over subsequent hours. The microcirculatory effects were independent of global hemodynamic variables. The improvement in microcirculatory perfusion observed with angiotensin inhibitors in patients with severe heart failure may partially explain the beneficial clinical effects of this intervention in such patients.