[Effectiveness of depot diltiazem in stable effort angina: a double-blind study compared with placebo]

The antianginal efficacy of slow-release (SR) Diltiazem and change in ergometric parameters during treatment were evaluated in patients with stable effort angina.

Forty eight patients with documented ischemic cardiopathy were studied. The study design was double blind randomised cross over versus placebo. After a 7 days run-in period of pharmacological washout, patients were randomised to treatment with diltiazem SR (120 mgs bid) or placebo for 1 week, followed by crossover of treatments. No concomitant antianginal therapy, except sublingual nitro-glycerine was allowed during the trial. Exercise tests were performed during the run-in period and at the end of each week of treatment.

After diltiazem administration, exercise duration increased significantly in comparison with placebo (645.6 +/- 196.31 vs 563.9 +/- 244.52 s, p < 0.01). Similarly, time to onset of angina and time to ischemic threshold increased in comparison to placebo (603.78 +/- 198.50 vs 459.69 +/- 239.40 s, p < 0.01 and 576.06 +/- 208.88 vs 463.16 +/- 246.12 s, p < 0.01 respectively). No significant changes in heart rate, blood pressure and double product at ischemic threshold and peak exercise were detected.

SR-diltiazem is effective and well tolerated in the treatment of patients with stable angina.