Diltiazem, nifedipine, and their combination in patients with stable angina pectoris: effects on angina, exercise tolerance, and the ambulatory electrocardiographic ST segment.

20 patients with stable angina pectoris

Diltiazem (180 to 360 mg/day) or nifedipine (30 to 120 mg/day) in three divided doses for 3 weeks (2 week titration, 1 week maintenance), followed by a 3-week combination treatment phase for patients remaining symptomatic (n=13)

Placebo (baseline and washout periods) and active comparator (crossover between diltiazem and nifedipine)

Frequency of angina, nitroglycerin consumption, exercise tolerance (Naughton protocol), and frequency of daily episodes of ST segment deviations on the electrocardiogramsurrogate