ACE inhibitors are endothelium dependent vasodilators of coronary arteries during submaximal stimulation with bradykinin

ACE inhibitors selectively potentiate endothelium dependent relaxations to submaximal concentrations of bradykinin in bovine and human coronary arteries by a local mechanism. This effect on endothelial cells might occur in addition to augmented bradykinin concentrations in the blood and reduced angiotensin II generation.