Comparison of atenolol with metoprolol in the treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction

Objective To compare the therapeutic effect with safety of atenolol and metoprolol in the treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction.Methods Forty-eight patients with acute myocardial infarction were randomly divided into two groups,atenolol group(n=24) and metoprolol group(n=24),receiving 5 to 10 mg of intravenous atenolol and metoprolol respectively.Blood pressure and heart rate were observed 5 minutes after drug administration and ST segment change and cardiac enzymes were measured 24 hours after drug administration.Results There were no significant differences between the two groups in the reduction of blood pressure and heart rate,ST segment regression and reduction of cardiac enzyme(P0.05).Conclusion Atenolol is similar to metoprolol in therapeutic effect and safety in the treatment of the patients with acute myocardial infarction.