Screening of single doses of nitrates, calcium antagonists and beta-adrenoblockaders in patients with stenocardia of effort by using pharmacodynamic treadmill studies

Standard single doses of nitrates, Ca-antagonists and beta-adrenoblockers were studied and compared in 37 patients presenting with stable angina pectoris of effort by repeated treadmill tests coupled with ECG monitoring. The use of isosorbide dinitrate (10 mg), nifedipin (20 mg) and propranolol (40 mg) enabled the effective drug to be screened in 86% of patients. Eleven per cent more of patients responded to the raising of the drug dosage. Isosorbide dinitrate was found to be the most effective in 27% of cases, nifedipin in 19%, and propranolol in 11%. The effect of 2 to 3 drugs was similar in 40% of patients. The data obtained during the screening of the most effective drug in 13 patients, performed by two different methods (treadmill pharmacodynamic and pair bicycle ergomentry tests showed a good agreement in the majority of cases).