Effects of Erythrol Tetranitrate and Amotriphene on Exercise Tolerance Tests in Angina Pectoris

Abstract

Sublingual erythrol tetranitrate is a potent drug in counteracting coronary insufficiency, as evidenced by reversal of positive electrocardiographic exercise tolerance tests in 72 per cent of 36 cases and reduction of anginal attacks in them by more than 50 per cent. Comparative studies with amotriphene indicate some subjective alleviation of angina, but objective reversals of the electrocardiographic effects of exercise in only 16 per cent of the cases. Side effects of erythrol tetranitrate, particularly headache, are seen in a minority of cases and are often circumvented by starting with a small dose and gradually increasing it as necessary. Alleviation of ectopic beats on exercise occurred equally in a minority of cases on the two drugs.