Randomized Double-blind Placebo-controlled Comparison of Nicardipine and Nifedipine in Patients with Chronic Stable Angina Pectoris

Forty-one patients were studied in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial to compare the antianginal actions of nicardipine 30 mg thrice daily and nifedipine 10 mg thrice daily. Efficacy was assessed using objective criteria from computer-assisted multistage graded exercise testing, performed after a two-week placebo run-in period and at the end of each four-week active treatment period. Thirty-seven patients completed both legs of the crossover trial. The mean (± standard error of the mean) baseline exercise time to development of angina was 6.7 ± 0.4 min and this increased to 9.5 ± 0.6 min on nicardipine (p