[Evaluation of verapamil's effect on the circulation in angina pectoris]

The studies concerned fifteen men with a stable angina pectoris--confirmed by an exercise test and coronarography--but with no heart failure or hypertension. They were randomly tested in a double blind method in which cardiovascular system was checked by means of rheographic-cardiography each fortnight after alternate administration of the placebo and verapamil [3 x 120 mg/24 hr]. After verapamil significant lowering of blood pressure and significant decrease of heart rate were found. Rheographic-cardiographic indices of cardias performance: RE time, REc time relation to heart rate, E dz/dt, E dz/dt relation to changes in arterial blood pressure, Heather index, modified Heather index, RE/EX and LVET did not show changes statistically significant. Neither was the change of the index of left ventricle heart failure observed. The only real change was the lengthening of the EX period--depending on the afterload. We can conclude that in patients with a stable angina pectoris the administration of 3 x 120 mg of verapamil does not diminish cardiac performance.