[Treatment of coronary insufficiency with beta-receptor antagonists (author's transl)]

The pathophysiology of the coronary insufficiency, the effect of beta-receptor antagonists, the understanding of these effects on the basis of the pathophysiology and the possibilities of testing beta-receptor antagonists in patients with coronary insufficiency are discussed. It is pointed out that the pathophysiology of the coronary insufficiency is based on the difference between oxygen demand of and oxygen supply to the myocardium. beta-Receptor antagonists compensate for this difference. Testing beta-receptor antagonists should include tolerance to exercise and controlled studies using standard medication for comparison.