Diltiazem treatment for the management of ischaemia in patients with poor left ventricular function: safety of long term administration.

22 patients (aged 42-73 years) with myocardial ischaemia and poor left ventricular function (pretreatment LVEF ranging from 0.11 to 0.39).

Open label oral diltiazem 120-360 mg/24 h (mean 254 mg) for two weeks to 16 months.

Safety of long term administration, specifically induction or exacerbation of congestive heart failure (assessed by weight change, cardiothoracic ratio, LVEF at rest, symptoms, and hospital admission).safety