Effects of nifedipine on cardiac function in patients with coronary artery disease evaluated with ambulatory radionuclide monitoring.

The effects of nifedipine on left ventricular function were evaluated in 17 patients with coronary artery disease with an ambulatory radionuclide detector (VEST). Hemodynamic data were recorded continuously at rest and during upright bicycle ergometer exercise before and 30 minutes after 10 mg of oral nifedipine administration. The heart rate increased and the resting systolic blood pressure decreased significantly with nifedipine. The end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes during exercise were significantly reduced and EF increased during exercise after nifedipine administration. These salutary hemodynamic responses of nifedipine appear to be beneficial for patients with effort angina pectoris.