EFFECTIVENESS OF 3 DIFFERENT DOSES OF CARVEDILOL FOR EXERTIONAL ANGINA

Carvedilol is a nonselective beta-receptor antagonist with vasodilatin g properties primarily due to selective cu-l antagonism. This 4-treatm ent, 5-period, double-blind, crossover study evaluated the efficacy an d safety of 3 doses of carvedilol (12.5, 25, and 50 mg given twice dai ly) versus placebo in 122 patients with chronic stable angina. Carvedi lol in doses of 25 mg twice daily and 50 mg twice daily was statistica lly superior to placebo with respect to time to angina (placebo: 316 s econds; 25 mg carvedilol: 337 seconds, p = 0.0039; 50 mg: 345 secends, p <0.0001) and time to 1-mm ST-segment depression (placebo: 301 secon ds; 25 mg: 313 seconds; 50 mg: 323 seconds; p <0.0001). The percentage of patients reporting any adverse experience was slightly less in tho se receiving placebo (placebo: 28.4%; 12.5 mg: 33.1%; 25 mg: 34.5%; 50 mg: 31.9%). Carvedilol is effective and safe in treating patients wit h chronic stable angina. (C) 1998 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.