A topic in Clinical Evidence 1 summarizes the results of 12 small (10-24 people) and brief (2-4 weeks) RCTs. Propranolol (most frequently), metoprolol, atenolol, pindolol, sotalol, nicardipine and placebo were compared with placebo. All RCTs found that propranolol improved symptoms compared with placebo (p<0.05). Four of the RCTs found that propranolol increased the proportion of people classified as "responders" (ARRs 69%, 80%, 64%, 32%). Small trials on other beta-blockers provided only weak evidence that beta-blockers other than propranolol are more effective than placebo.
The following decision support rules contain links to this evidence summary:
Primary/Secondary Keywords