| Abstract: | The effect of atenolol, a new cardioselective beta-adrenogenic blocking agent, was studied in 11 patients with angina of effort in a double-bind trial involving monitored exercise tolerance tests. The drug significantly reduced the heart rate, blood pressure and time-tension index. As a result, ST segment depression also diminished after treatment. Although working capacity, compared with controls, increased after atenolol, no difference was observed in this respect between the drug and placebo, suggesting the development of physiological tolerance to exercise. It is concluded that atenolol is useful in the prevention of angina pectoris, particularly in patients in whom there is associated arterial hypertension. |
