Comparison of carvedilol and atenolol effectiveness in patients with stable effort angina

Aim. To compare effectiveness of carvedilol - beta-adrenoblocker with vasod ilating action - with atenolol which is beta-adrenoblocker having no vasodi lating activity in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients with stable effort angina. Material and methods. The trial entered 28 CHD patients with a history of m yocardial infarction (MI). All the patients had no contraindications to bet a-adrenoblockers, had positive exercise tolerance test. After the control p eriod of 7-10 days the patients received either carvedilol (14 patients) or atenolol (14 patients) in a mean daily dose 20.5 mg (6.25 to 50 mg) and 25 .9 mg (12.5 to 100 mg), respectively, twice a day. The course of the treatm ent took 4 weeks. The effect was evaluated at treadmill exercise test. Results. Both drugs diminished heart rate, carvedilol was less effective in this respect. Both drugs significantly prolonged time of exercise to the a nginal attack and ST depression by 1.0 mm. Side effects arose in 6 and 4 pa tients, respectively. Conclusion. Carvedilol and atenolol are equally effective in the treatment of stable effort angina.