Assessment of antianginal efficacy of long-acting sustained release isosorbide dinitrate in comparison with short-acting isosorbide dinitrate.

A quadruple blind randomized cross-over study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of twice a day long acting sustained release isosorbide dinitrate (SRISDN) in comparison with 4 times daily of the short acting isosorbide dinitrate in 18 patients with stable angina pectoris (NYHA class II-III) with a positive exercise treadmill test. The antianginal effect of sustained release isosorbide dinitrate (SRISDN) (exercise duration 472.61 +/- 112.49 sec and anginal episodes per week (1.33 +/- 1.18) was not significantly different (p less than 0.05) when compared to conventional isosorbide dinitrate (exercise duration 468.33 +/- 135.28 sec and anginal episodes per week 1.55 +/- 104). Twice a day long acting sustained release isosorbide dinitrate is as effective as four times a day conventional short acting isosorbide dinitrate. Such a regimen is likely to lead to a better patient compliance and ease of antianginal therapy.