[Anti-ischemic effect of 8 mg molsidomin in retard form]

Studies of the efficacy of molsidomine, previously performed on our service, demonstrated that a clear antianginal effect in the longterm treatment of angina pectoris could only be achieved with a regimen of the standard 2 mg dose when given six times daily. Consequently, since a mode of administration with a longer duration of action was implicitly desirable, the present study, carried out in eleven patients with coronary artery disease and stable, exertional angina pectoris, was undertaken to assess the antiischemic effects of 8 mg molsidomine in sustained-release form as compared with the standard 2 mg formulation according to a double-blind, randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled protocol. Additionally, plasma concentrations of molsidomine were determined to elucidate the bioavailability as well as possible correlations between plasma concentrations and antiischemic effect. As compared with placebo, after administration of 8 mg molsidomine sustained-release there were reduction in the ST-segment depression at one, three, five and eight hours of 74% (p less than 0.001), 61% (p less than 0.001), 44% (p less than 0.025), and 31% (p less than 0.01), respectively; after 2 mg molsidomine, 74% (p less than 0.001), 37% (p less than 0.025), 7% (ns) and 6% (ns), respectively. Analysis of the response of the ST-segment in the individual patients showed an unequivocal antiischemic effect with a reduction in ST-segment depression of at least 1 mm after 8 mg molsidomine sustained-release at the specified points in time in ten, five, six and four patients, respectively, and after 2 mg molsidomine in nine, five, one and no patients, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)