Early exercise test in patients with myocardial infarction after nifedipine administration of prolonged duration

: In 25 patients with transmural myocardial infarction a mean of 16 days after the onset of infarction an exercise stress test was performed 2 hours after the administration of Corinfar Retard. We evaluated ECG, blood pressure, heart rate, echocardiograms and spirographic parameters before and after drug administration. In the majority of patients ST segment depressions were reduced and duration of the exercise test increased or remained unchanged. In 5 patients the magnitude of ST segment depression was markedly decreased and associated with prolonged duration of exercise and substantial patient comfort. In these patients the drug is continued, as its withdrawal resulted in decreased exercise tolerance with accompanying chess discomfort. Corinfar Retard significantly decreased weigh blood pressure, both systolic and diastolic, whereas its effect on low blood pressure was only slight or none. Heart rate was higher before exercise, during and after exercise it did not differ from that measured without the drug. Ejection fraction increased by a mean of 4%; VC and FEV1 increased or remained unchanged. Exercise testing was safe, did not produce and any side effects and seems to be useful in deciding about the choice of drug after myocardial infarction, especially in patients with counterindications to beta blockers.