[Effects of long-acting calcium antagonists--amlodipine and diltiazem in patients with stable angina of effort: comparative randomized controlled trial].

Aim: To compare effectiveness of two long-acting calcium antagonists--amlodipin and diltiazem--in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stable angina of effort (SAE).

Material And Methods: 31 IHD patients with SAE entered the double blind randomized trial. The patients received either amlodipin (5-10 mg once a day) or diltiazem (120-180 mg twice a day) for 4 weeks. Selection of the effective single dose and control over the drug effectiveness in regular intake was carried out using treadmill tests made at the height of the drug activity (peak effect) and before taking the next dose (end effect).

Results: 1 patient quitted the trial because of frequent anginal attacks while amlodipin administration. Both drugs showed positive effect in relation to exercise tolerance, peak effect of diltiazem was significantly higher than that of amlodipin, the end effect was the same. Amlodipin increased the heart rate at rest while diltiazem insignificantly decreased it. Amlodipin induced side effects more often, all of them were typical for dihydropiridin calcium antagonists.

Conclusion: Amlodipin and diltiazem of prolonged action have pronounced antianginal effect, diltiazem being more effective and less toxic.