title: Calcium antagonists and heart failure.
abstract: The systemic vasodilatory actions of the calcium antagonists make them potentially attractive for use as afterload reducing agents in patients with left ventricular failure. However, unlike other vasodilator drugs, these drugs also exert a direct negative inotropic effect on the myocardium. Clinical data suggest a limited role for the calcium antagonists as vasodilator therapy in patients with heart failure.
authors.affiliation: SUNY Health Science Center, Brooklyn, New York.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Charlap
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Frishman
mesh_terms: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004095:Dihydropyridines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004095:Dihydropyridines