[Quality of life of patients with old myocardial infarction on prolonged therapy with atenolol].

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of atenolol, a selective, beta1-adrenoblocker, on the quality of life (QL) of patients with old myocardial infarction (MI). The subjects of this 12-month open uncontrolled study were 40 male patients aged 29 to 59 years (mean age 46.8 +/- 1.19) suffering from functional class II-III stable exertional angina, which occurred 6 months after their first large-focal MI. QL was evaluated before and during the course of therapy (after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months) using EORTC QLQ CORE 30, short version of MMPI test, and Spielberg State-Trait Anxiety inventory. The patients received atenolol in effective doses selected on an individual basis (mean day dose was 67.9 +/- 4.2 mg) within one year; the study revealed increase of QL falling in all the categories of EORTC QLQ CORE 30, decrease of reactive and personal anxiety, as well as positive changes in averaged MMPI profile, which reflected lowering of anxiety and depression level in the actual psyche status.