Summary of short- and long-term studies with bisoprolol in coronary heart disease (CHD)

This report summarizes the most important results of 11 studies regarding efficacy and safety of bisoprolol in patients with stable angina pectoris due to coronary heart disease. Assessments carried out 2-3 h after the administration of the beta 1-selective adrenoceptor blocking agent bisoprolol revealed that the dose of 10 mg produced maximum effects in terms of improvement of exercise capacity (W X min) and reduction of ST segment depression at peak exercise. Duration of action was maintained over 24 h after administration of 5 and 10 mg bisoprolol. Thus, the data indicate no relevant loss of effect 24 h after single or repeated administration of 5-20 mg/day. Open uncontrolled long-term studies over 1 year demonstrated that bisoprolol in the dose range of 5-20 mg once daily is safe and highly effective. The evaluation was based on the bisoprolol effects on bicycle exercise tests, weekly anginal attack rates, the incidence of untoward side effects, and clinical routine laboratory investigations.