[Atenolol in the treatment of premature ventricular contractions. A double blind study in 68 patients (author's transl)].

The effects of atenolol, a cardioselective beta-blocker, on premature ventricular contractions (PVC) were tested in 68 patients in a double blind trial. 35 patients received 100 mg atenolol p.o/day for 5 days, 33 patients received placebo. A computer-based monitoring system permitted an accurate count of all PVC over a 10-hours pre-drug period and after a 5-days treatment. In both groups there was a significant reduction in PVC frequency, but there was no significant difference between the atenolol group and the placebo group. 45 of 68 patients had a coronary heart disease as cause of PVC, 22 patients in the atenolol group and 23 patients in the placebo group. The statistical examination of those patients only showed results different from the total group. In the atenolol group there was a significant reduction in PVC frequency, average reduction 85% (p less than 0.001). The reduction of PVC frequency inthe atenolol was significantly greater than in the placebo group (p = 0.009). There was a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure and heart rate in the atenolol group, too. Atenolol is an alternative drug in the treatment of PVC in patients with coronary heart disease. The reduction of blood pressure and anginal attacks is an advantage over other conventional antiarrhythmic drugs.