Calcium antagonists and their potential for antihypertensive therapy.
Calcium antagonists are potent arterial vasodilators devoid of relevant chronic sympathetic reflex activation and sodium and volume retention. This favorable hemodynamic profile of action renders them suitable for monotherapy of hypertension where they act to reduce an enhanced, calcium-influx-dependent vasoconstrictor mechanism which may be brought about by altered smooth muscle cation handling and increased intracellular free calcium concentrations. Clinical studies have proved their efficacy, safety, and good tolerability alone or in combination with other drugs in uncomplicated hypertension where they are particularly effective in older and low-renin and possibly black patients. These properties and their efficacy in the treatment of severe and accelerated hypertension or hypertensive emergencies make them a valuable addition to already available drug therapy.
Bühler
F R
FR
Department of Medicine, University Hospital Kantonsspital Basel, Switzerland.
Kiowski
W
W
D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D002118:Calcium