Abstract
The new β-blocker penbutolol's clinical efficacy on ventricular extrasystoleswas studied by a double-blind test using a placebo as control .
Penbutolol at 20mg/day was administered divided into 2 daily doses. As adouble cross-over method alternating penbutolol with placebo at one-week intervals was adopted, the test period was 3 weeks.
The analysis of variance revealed that penbutolol was superior to placebo in the ECG evaluation of efficacy on extrasystoles, in the degree of improvement of thesymptoms, and in the comprehensive judgement of efficacy.
There was no difference in the total number of side effects between penbutololand placebo. Abnormalities of s-GOT, s-GPT and leukocyte count were observedin some cases.
The effect of penbutolol on blood pressure and heart rate was also studied.
