Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors are not associated with respiratory complications or mortality after noncardiac surgery

General use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) is associated with upper-airway complications such as cough, angioedema, and bronchospasm; furthermore, preoperative use is associated with increased morbidity or mortality. Our primary goal in this study was thus to evaluate the association of ACEI therapy with perioperative respiratory morbidity in adult noncardiac surgical patients. Our secondary goals were to evaluate the association between preoperative use of ACEI and 30-day mortality, as well as to a composite outcome of in-hospital morbidity and mortality in adult noncardiac surgical patients having general anesthesia.