THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF PINDOLOL AND NIFEDIPINE IN PATIENTS WITH STABLE ANGINA-PECTORIS AND ASYMPTOMATIC RESTING ISCHEMIA

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 10  (1) , 59-69
Abstract
A single blind randomized parallel study designed to assess the anti-anginal efficacy of pindolol and nifedipine was carried out in 42 ambulatory coronary patients with stable angina pectoris. Drug efficacy was assessed in terms of relief of pain, frequency of anginal episodes, nitroglycerin consumption, exercise tolerance and ST-segment changes. The effect of these drugs on asymptomatic resting myocardial ischemia was assessed by 24 h dynamic ECG. All patients were tested weekly. After a 4 wk placebo period, the patients were randomly assigned to the pindolol or nifedipine group. The treatment lasted 45 days. During the placebo period, ischemic ECG changes and symptoms of coronary insufficiency were detected in all patients. Out of 42 patients, 12 had asymptomatic myocardial ischemia at rest. One patient from each group was dropped because of intolerance. Pindolol and nifedipine were equieffective on spontaneous and exercise-induced angina. Increased tolerance to exercise appeared earlier with pindolol; the pindolol group showed a slightly reduced while the nifedipine group showed a slightly increased heart rate. Nifedipine reduced or eliminated asymptomatic myocardial ischemia in 6 of 7 patients while only 1 of 5 improved in the pindolol group.

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