Effects of molsidomine on exercise tolerance in patients with coronary heart disease.

We performed a double-blind crossover study with molsidomine in 10 patients with coronary heart disease. A single dose of molsidomine and placebo were given sublingually 1 hour before an exercise tolerance test. Molsidomine significantly reduced systolic blood pressure at rest and at all work-loads. There was also a significant reduction in electrocardiographic ST-segment depression at submaximal exercise. At maximal exercise the drug significantly increased symptom-limited oxygen consumption and total mechanical work. Molsidomine could prove useful in the treatment of angina pectoris. It has no adverse effects on pulmonary function.