Long term effects of atenolol in patients of mitral stenosis & normal sinus rhythm.

We studied the effect of atenolol 100 mg/day in 50 symptomatic patients of mitral stenosis and normal sinus rhythm, in a placebo controlled study. Atenolol caused significant bradycardia as compared to placebo (vitamin C; P < 0.001) without any adverse effects. It also increased exercise capacity significantly as compared to placebo (P < 0.001). All the patients were followed up to the period of 9 months and no adverse effects were seen. We conclude that beta adrenergic blocking drugs like atenolol can be used as the only treatment for patients with mitral stenosis without congestive heart failure and in sinus rhythm, for long-term symptomatic relief.