Thirty eight patients, aged between 25 and 81 years (mean age 56.9 years) with diagnosed chronic congestive heart failure of NYHA III and IV stages have been examined. The following phases of therapy have been distinguished depending on the used drugs: phase 0--digoxin in a daily dose of 0.25 mg and furosemide in a daily dose of 40-150 mg (mean value 72.4 mg) for 14 days; phase A1A2--nifedipine has been added in a daily dose of 40-80 mg (mean value 64.0 mg), lasting also for 14 days; phase B1B2--captopril (Lopirin--Squibb) has been added to the previous drugs in a daily dose of 25-150 mg (mean value 67.4 mg) in three divided portions for 28 days; phase C1C2--captopril has been withdrawn and drugs as in phase A1A2 have been administered for 14 days. Routine laboratory tests, ECG, a 24-hour ECG-records with Holter's technique, exercise ECG, chest X-ray, and 2D and M echocardiography were performed prior to and after 7 days as well as after each phase of the studies. A significant improvement in the left ventricle functioning assessed with Cubet's echo 2D has been observed in phase B1B2 in comparison with phase A1A2. These parameters have been the following: EF 42.61% vs 31.52%; CO 3.2 vs 2.9 L/min; SV 57.15 vs 44.24 mL (p < .001). Moreover, a decrease in heart volume (X-ray) from 1,145.25 mL to 1,088.25 mL, an increase in exercise tolerance (exercise ECG) in 52.6% of the patients, decrease in Lown's class in 11 out of 24 patients have been noted.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)