[Therapeutical comparison between atenolol and nifedipine in effort angina (author's transl)]

In order to assess the therapeutical efficacy of atenolol in stable angina pectoris of effort, we studied 40 patients with a positive exercise stress test. Our double-blind study included a first group of 20 patients treated with atenolol, 100 mg once daily, and a second group of 20 subjects, treated with nifedipine (10 mg 3 times daily). The exercise test was performed before the treatment, after one month of placebo and after one month of therapy with nifedipine or atenolol. The variables examinated were the frequency of anginal chest pain, the quantity of nitroglycerin taken by the patients, the arterial pressure, the heart rate and the double product at the peak of the exercise testing. Differences between the results obtained in the two groups weren't statistically significant.