[Efficacy of a new slow-release isosorbide dinitrate preparation in myocardial infarction (author's transl)]

A new slow-release isosorbide dinitrate preparation (ISDN retard, Boehringer Mannheim) was investigated in a controlled study (double blind/cross over) in 20 patients with clear symptoms of coronary insufficiency after myocardial infarction, comparing the ECG on effort with that under placebo treatment. A favourable effect on the symptoms of coronary insufficiency could be demonstrated under standardised conditions on a bicylce ergometer 4 hours after oral ingestion of ISDN. The ST interval of the ECG was significantly lowered (p less than or equal to 0.025) under comparable cardiac work. The prolonged action of ISDN retard was also shown by a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure at rest, during and after effort. Simultaneously, there was a slight but not-significant rise in heart rate.