[Dilazep vs. nifedipine in patients with stable effort angina. A double blind randomized study (author's transl)]

In a randomized double-blind study the activity of dilazep (D) vs. nifedipine (N) was evaluated in 50 outpatients with effort angina; 26 were treated with dilazep 300 mg/die and 24 with nifedipine 30 mg/die. The observation period lasted 30 days. Before and at the end of treatment were evaluated: ECG, basal and during hyperventilation test, ergometric test, BP, HR, DP, ST depression, arrhythmias, maximum tolerated and total work done, number of anginal attacks and side effects. In 19 symptomatic subjects (D), weekly anginal crises were reduced (p less than 0.001) with normalization of 6 patients (31.6%). In group N a reduction (p less than 0.001) of anginal crises/weeks was recorded with normalization in 3 subjects out of 14 symptomatic (21.4%). In both groups ST depression was significantly (p less than 0.001) reduced. ECG during exercise normalized in 9 patients (34.6%) of D group and in 5 (20.9%) of N group. Total work performed increased after treatment in both groups. 13 patients of group D complained 19 side effects, all of short duration, whereas 54.2% (13 subjects) of group N complained 25 side effects 13 of which (52%) of short duration and 12 (48%) persistent. The results obtained pointed out a superimposable therapeutic efficacy of the two drugs, but dilazep was better tolerated.