[Gallopamil in stable effort angina. Effects of 2 different dosages]

The effects of gallopamil, a calcium channel blocker methoxy derivative of verapamil, recently introduced into clinical use in Germany, were evaluated in 20 patients with stable exertional angina. Two different dosages of the drug were used: 25 mg tid and 50 mg tid. It was observed that both dosages improved exercise tolerance (355 +/- 95 sec after placebo; 462 +/- 78 sec, p less than 0.01 and 511 +/- 97 sec, p less than 0.01 after the two doses) while the time taken to produce ischemia (-1 mm ST depression) was significantly prolonged only by the higher dose of the drug (204 +/- 101 sec after placebo; 324 +/- 135 sec after gallopamil 150 mg, p less than 0.05). Both dosages of gallopamil caused a significant reduction in the double product in the first phases of the exercise (double product 3 degrees min of exercise x 10(2): 173 +/- 140 after placebo; 153 +/- 34, p less than 0.05 and 145 +/- 30, p less than 0.05 after the two doses), while they did not affect this parameter at the end of the exercise. Our data seem to confirm that gallopamil works through a lowered myocardial metabolic demand as a consequence of the reduction of the afterload. Both dosages of the drug decreased the number of episodes of angina, but the higher dose was more effective. The drug is safe and well tolerated. All patients completed the study. Furthermore, no particular haemodynamic problems were observed.