Importance of ancillary properties of beta blockers in angina: a study of celiprolol and atenolol.

Celiprolol (400 mg) and atenolol (100 mg) were given once a day to 16 patients with stable angina pectoris in a double blind placebo controlled crossover study. Celiprolol produced less suppression of heart rate both at rest and during exercise than atenolol. Both drugs were equally effective in reducing the frequency of angina and in delaying the onset of ischaemia during exercise. Radionuclide ventriculography showed that atenolol but not celiprolol lowered cardiac output at rest and during exercise. Thus the ancillary properties of celiprolol, including partial beta 2 agonist activity and direct vasodilating activity, have detectable effects on cardiac function that may be beneficial in patients with angina.