title: Antiarrhythmic and anti-ischemic properties of calcium-channel antagonists.
abstract: The calcium-channel blockers are an ever-enlarging, heterogeneous group of drugs with widely variable effects on myocardium, sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodal function and conduction, peripheral blood vessels, and coronary circulation. Since the development and characterization of calcium-channel antagonists in the 1960s, these agents have become increasingly important in the treatment of many cardiovascular diseases. Nine calcium-channel blockers-nifedipine, nicardipine, amlodipine, felodipine, isradipine, nimodipine, diltiazem, verapamil, and bepridil-are all approved for use in the United States. Each major category has its own unique physiologic features. These drugs are extremely useful in the management of cardiac arrhythmias (particularly supraventricular arrhythmias) and/or ischemia. As future generations of calcium-channel blockers are developed with greater vasoselectivity, less negative inotropic effects, and reduced tendency to activate the renin-angiotensin system, their indications for use will continue to grow.
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary and Critical Care Unit, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, NY, USA.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Apostolakos
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Varon
mesh_terms: D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology; D003042:Cocaine / Q000009:adverse effects; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015428:Myocardial Reperfusion Injury / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D015220:Calcium Channels; D003042:Cocaine