Propranolol rebound--a retrospective study.

To assess the effects of sudden withdrawal of propranolol on inpatients with coronary artery disease, 102 patients admitted for cardiac catheterization were evaluated. Criteria for inclusion in the study were angiographically documented coronary artery disease, propranolol therapy at a mean daily dose of at least 80 mg and abrupt discontinuation of propranolol therapy before catheterization. There were 55 patients (mean age 52.5) who discontinued propranolol therapy (mean daily dose 127 mg) and a control group of 47 patients (mean age 53) who continued to receive propranolol (mean daily dose 143 mg). The criteria for morbidity were death, myocardial infarction or change in pain pattern. In the withdrawal group there were no deaths, one myocardial infarction judged to be related to catheterization and only one instance of a change in pain pattern. Thus, propranolol rebound appears to occur infrequently among hospitalized patients with reduced activity.