[Angina pectoris caused by dynamic coronary obstruction and beta-blockers].

This review of the literature covers the clinical results of treatment with beta-blockers in those forms of cardiac ischaemia characterised by a coronary vasomotor component. Particular consideration is given to a paper by Mulcahy et al. which confirms and reinforces the results of other clinical works on the therapeutic effectiveness of the cardioselective beta-blocker atenolol in these mixed forms of ischaemia (fixed coronary stenosis plus dynamic coronary stenosis). The effectiveness of atenolol proved greater or at least on a par with that of the calcium antagonist nifedipine. The probable mechanisms underlying these clinical results are described and it is concluded by noting the therapeutic potentiation obtainable using the beta-blocker together with nifedipine.