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Effectiveness of three different doses of carvedilol for exertional angina. Carvedilol-Angina Study Group
R Weiss1, D Ferry, E Pickering
1Androscoggin Cardiology Associates, Auburn, Maine 04210, USA.
Insights
Carvedilol effectively treats chronic stable angina. Higher doses (25 and 50 mg twice daily) significantly improved time to angina and ST-segment depression compared to placebo.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Carvedilol is a nonselective beta-receptor antagonist with alpha-1 antagonism.
- It possesses vasodilating properties beneficial for cardiovascular conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of carvedilol in patients with chronic stable angina.
- To compare three different doses of carvedilol against a placebo.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, crossover study involving 122 patients.
- Four treatments were administered over five periods: placebo, carvedilol 12.5 mg, 25 mg, and 50 mg twice daily.
Main Results:
- Carvedilol at 25 mg and 50 mg twice daily significantly increased time to angina and time to 1-mm ST-segment depression compared to placebo.
- Adverse event reporting was comparable across placebo and carvedilol groups, with slightly lower incidence in the placebo group.
Conclusions:
- Carvedilol demonstrates efficacy in treating chronic stable angina.
- The drug is considered safe for patients with this condition at the tested dosages.
Abstract:
Carvedilol is a nonselective beta-receptor antagonist with vasodilating properties primarily due to selective alpha-1 antagonism. This 4-treatment, 5-period, double-blind, crossover study evaluated the efficacy and safety of 3 doses of carvedilol (12.5, 25, and 50 mg given twice daily) versus placebo in 122 patients with chronic stable angina. Carvedilol in doses of 25 mg twice daily and 50 mg twice daily was statistically superior to placebo with respect to time to angina (placebo: 316 seconds; 25 mg carvedilol: 337 seconds, p = 0.0039; 50 mg: 345 seconds, p <0.0001) and time to 1-mm ST-segment depression (placebo: 301 seconds; 25 mg: 313 seconds; 50 mg: 323 seconds; p <0.0001). The percentage of patients reporting any adverse experience was slightly less in those receiving placebo (placebo: 28.4%; 12.5 mg: 33.1%; 25 mg: 34.5%; 50 mg: 31.9%). Carvedilol is effective and safe in treating patients with chronic stable angina.