Placebo-controlled trial of ketanserin in the treatment of intermittent claudication

The effect of ketanserin on the symptoms of 21 patients with stable intermittent claudication was examined in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. Benefit was assessed by repeated treadmill exercise tests, recording claudication and total walking times. After three months' treatment with ketanserin (mean dose 167 mg/day) there was no significant change in claudication time (mean change + 12%, 95% CI -9; + 33%) or total walking time (mean change -14%, 95% CI -47%; + 19%). The confidence intervals show that ketanserin treatment is unlikely to be associated with clinically important improvement.