[Results of a clinical phenazepam study in the psychopathological changes in ischemic heart disease]

Phenasepam was studied by the double blind method in comparison with seduxen according to the random principle in 90 males under 60 years of age suffering from ischemic heart disease with psychopathological changes. Phenasepam was given in daily doses of 1.5-4 mg for 3-4 weeks. The psychic condition became normal or considerably improved in 57.2% of patients treated with phenasepam, in 43.8% of those given placebo for phenasepam, and in 21.7% of patients treated with seduxen. Phenasepam caused the best effect in syndromes of pointless anxiety, depression, and cardiophobia. The side-effects (somnolence, listlessness, ataxia) were mild and transient. The authors conclude that it is expedient to use phenasepam in the treatment of psychopathological changes in patients with ischemic heart disease. Psychological factors influencing the therapeutic effect of drugs and its assessment are discussed.