Results of long-term propranolol treatment in myocardial infarction survivors with advanced grades of ventricular extrasystoles.

204 patients with established ischaemic heart disease, aged up to 62 years, were divided at random into two groups according to the matched pairs principle with respect to factors influencing long-term prognosis. Before randomization, the patients' ECG was monitored for 24 hrs, a treadmill exercise test and roentgencardiography were performed. The follow-up period was about 1.5 years. In the experimental group of 101 patients who were given propranolol in individualized doses (40-320 mg/day), which ensured a decrease in heart rate by 15-20%, sudden coronary death was significantly less frequent (p less than 0.01) than in the control group. The occurrence of repeated non-fatal myocardial infarction did not in the two groups significantly differ. A decrease in the occurrence of ventricular extrasystoles in the propranolol treated group was found only at the exercise test.