This study examined the effects of long-term
lipid-lowering
therapy with
policosanol on the clinical evolution, and exercise-ECG testing responses of 45
coronary heart disease (CHD) patients with
myocardial ischemia, documented by exercise 201T1-myocardial perfusion scintigraphy, in an overall randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, made for different test endpoints. Fifteen patients were treated with 5 mg of
policosanol twice daily; another 15 patients were administered the same
drug dose plus 125 mg
aspirin; and the other 15 patients received placebo plus equal
aspirin dose. They were followed for 20 months, previous baseline observations, with treadmill exercise-ECG, besides serum
lipid test. Beneficial changes on proportions among the 2
policosanol groups and the placebo group, showed an increment on functional capacity class, a decrement on rest and exercise angina, and a significant decrease in
cardiac events, and in ischemic ST segment response, especially in the
policosanol plus
aspirin group (p = 0.05, X2(2df) = 5.8; p = 0.04, p = 0.02; Fisher).
After treatment, sets of mean changes revealed an increase on maximum
oxygen uptake, and a decline on double product simultaneously in both
policosanol groups (p < or = 0.02, p < or = 0.002; Pillais, Hotellings' T2), while the placebo group was impaired. Aerobic functional capacity percent showed an increment in
policosanol groups (p < or = 0.05, paired T).
Lipid levels improved as other endpoints already reported. A supposed
ergogenic effect of
octacosanol,
policosanol's main active compound, was not detected with this design. These results show that
policosanol-treated CHD patients improved clinical evolution, and exercise-ECG responses, owing to the amelioration of
myocardial ischemia, even more when administered with
aspirin.