Propranolol Withdrawal

Abstract

During the past two years several disconcerting reports have described ventricular arrhythmias, severe angina and myocardial infarction after abrupt cessation of propranolol therapy in patients with angina pectoris. The latest in the series is by Miller and his colleagues in the current issue of the Journal, and, because the information was obtained during a double-blind study of propranolol efficacy, must rank as a definitive investigation. Of the 20 patients studied, six experienced life-threatening complications, including myocardial infarction, ventricular tachycardia and severe angina at rest. Two of the patients died. That this was a true rebound phenomenon was suggested by . . .