Effects of several antianginal agents on pacing-induced S-T Segment depression in the atherosclerotic rabbit.

Several agents used clinically in the treatment of angina pectoris were studied in an atherosclerotic rabbit model previously shown to be useful in differentiating antianginal drug activity. Intravenously administered isosorbide dinitrate afforded protection against pacing-induced S-T segment depression in a dose-related manner. Drugs with no protective effect included pentaerythritol tetranitrate, chromonar, and papaverine. Propranolol also did not prevent pacing-induced S-T segment depression, due in part to the overriding of the beneficial negative chronotropic effect of this drug by pacing.