[Efficacy of lidoflazine in angina pectoris. A long-term double-blind study]

The long-term efficacy of lidoflazine was investigated in 40 patients with a longer history of angina pectoris and well-documented ischemic heart disease over a whole range of 18 months in double-blind technique. Significant improvement occurs to frequency and severity of angina pectoris, related to reduction in consumption of nitro-compounds and in the extent of ST-segmental depression under resting and cycloergometric test conditions. Increase in cardiac work capacity is evident. There are no changes in heart rate, blood pressure and AV-interval in the ECG. The mode of action of lidoflazine may be an increase in the formation of coronary collaterals, whereas its acute vasodilating properties, experimentally verified in the dog, does not play any important part in the treatment of human coronary insufficiency. The introduction of lidoflazine in the treatment of coronary heart disease appears to be justified as an additive medication.