Abstract
Following the reports of Floyd (1966) and Floyd & Domenet (1972) a study was conducted on the effect of adding 50 mg of chlorthalidone (Hygroton®) or a matching placebo to the usual antianginal regime of 25 patients. The study was a double blind comparison between chlorthalidone 50 mg tablets and a matching placebo; each patient received both treatments. Chlorthalidone was found to be significantly better than placebo in both reducing the incidence of attacks and the consumption of glyceryl trinitrate. Chlorthalidone reduced the day-time anginal attack rate by 38% as compared with the placebo attack rate. This improvement is of the same order as that achieved by beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agents in similar types of trial. A marked variation in response was found between different types of patients. The earlier investigations with diuretics in angina are reviewed, and a possible explanation for the advantageous effect of chlorthalidone is offered.
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