MONOTHERAPY WITH NIFEDIPINE GITS COMPARED WITH ATENOLOL IN STABLE ANGINA-PECTORIS

This double-blind, randomised multicentre study compares nifedipine ga strointestinal therapeutic system (GITS) with atenolol in 129 male pat ients, with exercise-induced angina pectoris. At 4 weeks, there was no significant difference between nifedipine GITS 60 mg o.d. and atenolo l 100 mg o.d., in respect of improved time to onset of 0.1 mV ST-segme nt depression, time to onset of pain, and total exercise time. Atenolo l, but not nifedipine, significantly reduced heart rate and systolic b lood pressure at rest and during exercise. There were significantly mo re vasodilator-related side effects with nifedipine. Nifedipine GITS a nd atenolol as once-daily monotherapy are equally effective and safe, but have different effects on exercise parameters.