Atenolol versus the fixed combination of atenolol and nifedipine in stable angina pectoris.

Abstract

One hundred and fourteen patients (94 male) with chronic stable angina who had a positive exercise test after 4 weeks on atenolol alone were randomized to receive either atenolol alone or the fixed combination of atenolol and nifedipine slow release formulation for 4 weeks in a double-blind cross-over manner. Exercise stress testing (Bruce protocol) at the end of each treatment period demonstrated that the time to the onset of pain and occurrence of 1 mm ST segment depression improved significantly (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001 respectively) whilst on the fixed combination compared to atenolol alone. In order to achieve sufficient sensitivity in the analysis of the exercise times, novel statistical methods based on survival analysis were used. Maximum ST segment depression was 0.13 mm less (P < 0.04) while on the fixed combination. The incidence of withdrawals and adverse effects was similar on both treatments.