ANTIISCHEMIC EFFECT OF GALLOPAMIL RETARD VERSUS DILTIAZEM RETARD - A THALLIUM SCAN STUDY IN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY-ARTERY DISEASE (CAD)

In a randomized study the anti-ischemic effects of Gallopamil retard a nd Diltiazem retard in equipotent dosis were analysed. 31 patients wit h CAD were included in this Investigation. The patients were treated o ver a period of 3 weeks with either Gallopamil retard 2 x 100 mg/day ( n = 15) or Diltiazem retard 3 x 90 mg/day (n = 16). The myocardial isc hemia was evaluated before and after therapy by a semi-quantitative Th allium scan study. A significant reduction of the myocardial ischemia was observed in both groups. Under the conditions of identical individ ual physical stress tests, we found an average ischemia reduction in t he ''region of interest'' from 23,6 +/- 6,3% to 6,4 +/- 7,5% for Gallo pamil and from 23,1 +/- 10,6% to 7,2 +/- 7,6% for Diltiazem (p < 0,001 ). Only one patient (being treated with Diltiazem) had to be dismissed from the study because of an intercurrent instable angina. The study demonstrated an important therapeutic effect for patients with CAD and myocardial ischemia. In equipotent doses, both Gallopamil retard and Diltiazem retard are able to substantially improve the myocardial perf usion.