Efficacy of carvedilol (BM 14,190), a new beta-blocking drug with vasodilating properties, in exercise-induced ischemia.

The exercise response to a single oral dose (25 mg) of a new beta-blocking agent that also has potent vasodilating properties, carvedilol (BM 14,190), was assessed in 15 patients with stable exertional angina, positive exercise test responses (greater than or equal to 1 mm of ST depression) and coronary artery disease. A single-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover design was used. Compared with placebo, 25 mg of carvedilol significantly reduced both heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) at rest (p less than 0.01). After administration of carvedilol, 10 of 15 patients did not have angina at peak exercise (p less than 0.01) and 5 had ST shifts of less than 1 mm (p less than 0.05). Total exercise time and time to 1 mm of ST depression were prolonged and ST-segment depression at peak exercise was significantly reduced (p less than 0.01). Systolic BP was reduced both at peak exercise and at 1 mm of ST depression (p less than 0.05), whereas mean HR at peak exercise did not change significantly compared with placebo. Overall, mean HR-BP product at peak exercise was significantly reduced by carvedilol compared with placebo (p less than 0.05). However, 4 patients actually achieved a higher HR-BP product but did not have angina and had less ST depression (or no ST-segment shifts) at peak exercise. This indicates an increase in their coronary flow reserve. These results suggest that carvedilol is effective therapy for effort-induced angina, and this may be related to its combined beta-blocking and potent vasodilatory properties.