The effects of nifedipine, atenolol and that combination on left ventricular function

The effect of nifedipine 20 mg three times daily and atenolol 100 mg once daily, singly and in combination on left ventricular ejection fraction, was investigated in 14 patients with chronic effort related angina pectoris. The ejection fraction was measured by gated radionuclide ventriculography at rest and during graded dynamic supine bicycle exercise. There was no significant change in resting left ventricular ejection fraction during any of the treatment periods. During dynamic exercise there was no significant change in the ejection fraction on placebo and atenolol, but a significant rise occurred on both nifedipine and the combination. Thus in patients with angina pectoris secondary to coronary artery disease and with normal resting left ventricular function, the combination of nifedipine and atenolol does not depress left ventricular function significantly as assessed by radionuclide ventriculography.