Effect of dipyridamole on chronic stable angina pectoris

Dipyridamole has been shown to produce coronary steal intensify myocardial ischemia in areas perfused by stenosed vessel and is now being used as an alternative to exercise in Thallium studies. The present work addresses the question whether dipyridamole given orally as an antiplatelet agent has the same deleterious effect on chronic stable angina. A study was performed on 20 patients, clinically and non-invasively diagnosed as having chronic stable angina pectoris. Clinical evaluation, resting ECG, treadmill exercise test and 24 hours Holter monitoring, were done after 4 weeks of dipyridamole oral therapy [75-150 mg t.d.s.] and compared to those done after 4 weeks of placebo. Apart from nitrates, no other medications were allowed throughout the study. Oral 75 mg dipyridamole t.d.s. produced neither deleterious nor beneficial effects on angina, while 30% of those who received 150 mg t.d.s. had exacerbation of their anginal pains. It was concluded that oral dipyridamole is safe in dose of 75 mg t.d.s. for patients with chronic stable angina pectoris, while higher doses [150 mg t.d.s.] are not. Although the drug is known to be a potent vasodulator, it is ineffective in the treatment of angina

Age related macular degeneration angiographic and electrophysiological assessment

Fluorescin angiography [F.A.] and visual evoked patential [VEP] were recorded in 8 patients [16 eyes] with age related macular degeneration [AMD]. F.A. showed characteristic patterns in the various stages of AMD, localization of subretinal neovascular membrane [SNVM] which is indispensable as a guide before application of photocoagulation. VEP showed delayed latency in 31.25% of cases and low amplitude in 50% of cases, gave an objective assessment of the extent of macular involvement. Correlation of F.A. and VEP is of great diagnostic and prognostic value in AMD