[Long-acting nifedipine in secondary prophylaxis against ischemic heart disease]

As many as twelve patients with functional class II stable angina were examined to establish the role of assessment of hemodynamics in secondary prophylaxis of ischemic heart disease (IHD). In all patients, an acute pharmacological stress-test with a long-acting nifedipine in a dose of 10 mg sublingually was conducted together with echocardiography (EchoCG) and measuring the regional ejection fraction (REF) of the left ventricle in 12 segments. The findings obtained from EchoCG suggest a tendency toward augmentation of REF, especially REF2-4 and REF-9-10, the changes have been significant in REFII and REFx. Thus, nifedipine has a positive effect on regional contractility of the myocardium as an antiischemic agent; it can be used in prophylaxis against IHD with the purpose of improving prognosis and quality of life of patients.