[The comparison of the efficacy of atenolol and isosorbide dinitrate therapy in chronic hypotension patients with stable angina pectoris].

Antianginal efficacy of atenolol (A) and isosorbide dinitrate (ID) was compared in a long-term randomized, single-blind, crossover, placebo controlled trial in 71 patients with combined stable angina pectoris and chronic hypotension (Hpts) and in 38 normotensive patients with angina of effort (Npts). Paired bicycle tests showed anti-ischemic activity of drugs: A in 75% and ID in 49% of Hpts, A in 83% and ID in 82% of Npts. Antianginal effect of 25 mg A was observed in 49% of Hpts (vs 6% of Npts; p < 0.01). Secondary resistance to A effect was developed on the treatment week 2-4 in 13% of Hpts (vs 0 in Npts) tolerance to ID effect--on week 1-2 in 71% of Hpts (vs 15% of Npts; p < 0.01) as evidenced by T1-199 exercise myocardial scintigraphy. Hpts needed individual ID therapy with a long-term ID-free period during 8-16 days (vs 3-5 in Npts; p < 0.05) to avoid tolerance. Stable antianginal ID effect manifested with a decrease of myocardial perfusion defect size by 43.1 +/- 1.3% (p < 0.05).