Effect of long-term treatment with verapamil on the clinical picture and exertion tolerance in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Nowalany-Kozielska, E.; Wodniecki, J.; Tendera, M.; Poloński, L.
Kardiologia Polska 30(7): 409-418
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-9032 PMID: 3316787 Document Number: 297528
30 patients with the hypertropic cardiomyopathy were treated with verapamil 320 milligrams daily for up to one year. Submaximal exercise tests using a bicycle ergometer and evaluation of a clinical state were performed before the treatment, after 5 days of a placebo administration, as well as after 5 days, 1 month and 1 year of treatment with verapamil. Placebo administration in a course of that double-blind study did not effect on clinical symptoms of the disease and did not change significantly the exercise tolerance (12.7 .+-. 6 minutes versus 12.6 .+-. 3.5 minutes N.S.). In most of patients verapamil treatment caused subsidence or diminution of intensity of disease symptoms and improvement of NYHA functional class. No significant changes of ECG recordings nor the arterial pressure values were observed. Mean increase of exercise tolerance after 5 days, 30 days and 1 year of treatment was respectively by 19.76 (p < 0.0002), 25% (p < 0.00001), 29.1% (p < 0.004). Significant improvement of the effect efficiency was observed respectively in 77.80 and 87% of patients. Exercise tolerance increase by 50% after 1 year of verapamil treatment was started in 47% cases. Deterioration of the exercise tolerance after 5 days, 30 days and 1 year of treatment was observed respectively in 10%, 13% and 13% percent of patients. Verapamil was discontinued in 2 cases because of dyspnea worsening.