ACE and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Moreover, some retrospective studies have shown ACE inhibitors and ARBs have been associated with slower emphysema progression in smokers and FEV1 decline in COPD [49-51]. However, the OPTIMIZE-HF cohort study showed COPD patients with comorbid HF are less likely to be prescribed with ACE inhibitors or ARBs during their hospital stay [52].