title: Calcium-channel antagonists for prevention of atherosclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To critically evaluate the current literature regarding the role of calcium-channel antagonists in preventing atherosclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  English language clinical studies, abstracts, conference proceedings, and review articles pertaining to calcium-channel antagonists and atherosclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Relevant animal and human studies examining the role of calcium-channel antagonists in atherosclerosis prevention and treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Potential mechanisms for the development of atherosclerosis and the use of calcium antagonists for preventing and treating coronary artery disease are discussed. Animal studies are summarized; next, significant data from human clinical studies are presented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Available studies are described and discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results from animal and clinical trials in humans suggest that calcium antagonists may retard the development and progression of atherosclerosis. However, most clinical trials to date have been conducted in patients with proven atherosclerotic plaques. Further studies examining the role of calcium-channel antagonists in preventing and treating atherosclerosis are needed, but may be difficult to conduct because of the large numbers of patients required, long trial duration, and associated costs.
authors.affiliation: University of Tennessee, Memphis.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Borcherding
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Meeves
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Klutman
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Howard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers