Vitamin E in angina pectoris.
The claim that the symptoms of angina pectoris can usually be relieved by large doses of vitamin E has been reinvestigated by means of a randomized double-blind trial. The trial lasted nine weeks and consisted of two parts. One part was conducted as a regular double-blind trial involving 40 patients, half of whom received 3200 IU of vitamin E daily, while an equal number received an indistinguishable placebo. The second part of the trial involved 15 patients who were already taking a regular daily dose of between 400 and 2400 IU of vitamin E. Eight patients were assigned the same (or a larger) dose of vitamin E, while seven received placebo. Neither part of the trial yielded statistically convincing evidence that vitamin E is of value in the treatment of angina, but a small beneficial effect could not be ruled out. Taken in conjunction with the positive (but statistically non-significant) results obtained in the only other double-blind trial of vitamin E ever carried out on angina, and the encouraging results reported by other investigators in the treatment of intermittent claudication, it is suggested that further double-blind trials are justified.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D010919:Placebos; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
D010919:Placebos; D014810:Vitamin E; D005996:Nitroglycerin