[Influence of perhexilinmaleat on the exercise electrocardiogram (author's transl)]

In 15 patients with angiographically proven coronary heart disease and reproducible exercise induced ischemic ST-segment depression the antianginal effect of Perhexilinmaleat was tested in a cross-over randomized double-blind trial. The patients were treated 4 weeks with a placebo, 2 weeks with 200 mg and 2 weeks with 400 mg/day Perhexilinmaleat. The exercise-induced ischemic ST-segment depression was significantly reduced (p less than 0.001) by Perhexilinmaleat. This calcium-antagonist drug also prolonged the PQ-interval and reduced the heart rate during exercise. Some liver specific enzymes were slightly elevated. These and other side effects more often occurred at the higher dose of 400 mg/day.