New Drugs in the Treatment of Angina

The introduction, in 1968, of propranolol, a specific adrenergic blocking agent for the beta-receptor system described by Ahlquist, for widespread clinical use provided physicians with a powerful new therapeutic agent. Because the primary adrenergic receptors in the heart are considered to be beta, the action of propranolol in a variety of cardiac disorders has been studied.In this issue of the Journal Aronow and Kaplan report their observation in 24 patients with angina pectoris treated on a double-blind protocol using propranolol plus isosorbide dinitrite versus placebos. Their findings, demonstrating a better clinical and physiologic response with the placebos, are at . . .