title: Use of calcium antagonists in ventricular dysfunction.
abstract: Calcium antagonists are now widely used in a variety of cardiocirculatory disorders, many of which are associated with varying levels of depressed myocardial function. Thus, the hemodynamic effects of calcium antagonists in patients with normal as well as depressed ventricular function are clinically relevant. None of the 3 agents verapamil, nifedipine or diltiazem exerts significant negative inotropic effects in patients with relatively normal myocardial function, although increases in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure may occur with verapamil and possibly diltiazem. In a setting in which ischemia, hypertension or arrhythmias contribute to cardiac failure, all 3 agents may ameliorate myocardial decompensation if they reverse the precipitating causes. In patients with depressed myocardial function, the effects of diltiazem are not known; verapamil may depress myocardial function, especially if the ventricular filling pressure is increased. Nifedipine generally has little depressant action in this setting and usually improves cardiac function, especially if the sympathetic reflexes are intact. However, hemodynamic deterioration after nifedipine administration has been reported. Thus, the available data do not support the use of calcium antagonists as afterload-reducing agents in heart failure and suggest caution in the use of these agents in patients with impaired ventricular performance.
mesh_terms: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004110:Diltiazem / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000503:physiopathology; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014700:Verapamil / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D014700:Verapamil; D004110:Diltiazem; D009543:Nifedipine