THE EFFECTS OF ORALLY-ADMINISTERED ATENOLOL ON THE CORONARY HEMODYNAMICS AND PROSTAGLANDIN METABOLISM IN ANGINA-PECTORIS PATIENTS

The effects of oral atenolol on coronary hemodynamics and prostaglandi n metabolism have been investigated in 8 chronic stable angina pectori s patients who underwent the supine bicycle ergometer. At rest, atenol ol taken orally reduced the pressure-rate product significantly (P < 0 .05) but did not significantly affect the coronary sinus blood flow or the coronary sinus pressure. During exercise, atenolol also reduced t he pressure-rate product significantly (P < 0.05) but did not signific antly affect the coronary sinus blood flow, the coronary sinus pressur e, or the coronary vascular resistance. Atenolol also did not signific antly affect the thromboxane B2/6-keto prostaglandin F1alpha ratio in the arterial blood before and after exercise but did reduce this ratio in the coronary sinus blood by 15% from 1.9 +/- 1.1 to 1.5 +/- 0.46 ( P < 0.10) after exercise. These results indicate that atenolol taken o rally does not significantly depress the coronary hemodynamics. Howeve r, the effects of atenolol on the prostaglandin metabolism could not b e clearly determined.