Seven patients with ongoing angina with ST-segment elevation, refractory to oral nifedipine and intravenous nitroglycerin, were treated by adding intravenous beta-blockers. Chest pain resolved in all of them in a few minutes, and myocardial infarction did not develop in 5 patients. We recommend this approach for patients to whom thrombolytics are contraindicated or have been very recently administered, although further investigation is needed to extend its application more widely. It does not preclude the use of other therapies, if considered necessary.