Effect of nisoldipine on variant angina: Assessment by 24-hour holter monitoring

Abstract

Nisoldipine, a newly developed coronary vasodilating agent, was administered to 12 patients with variant angina to assess its efficacy in this condition. A placebo was administered during an observation period of ⩾2 days, after which nisoldipine 10 mg/day was administered as a single daily dose during a 3- to 4-day treatment period. The number of angina attacks significantly decreased from 5.4 ± 1.4 times/day/patient during the observation period to 1.1 ± 0.4 times/day/patient during the treatment period ( P < 0.05). On 24-hour Holter monitoring, the number of ST segment deviations in the total group decreased from 91 times/day during the observation period to 19 times/day during the treatment period, and ST segment deviations were no longer observed in 7 of the 12 patients. The number of ST segment elevations also significantly decreased from 6.5 ± 1.7 times/day/patient to 1.5 ± 0.9 times/day/patient ( P < 0.01). Side effects were limited to epigastric discomfort and lower leg numbness in one patient. These results suggest that once-daily administration of nisoldipine 10 mg is of benefit in the treatment of variant angina.