title: Application of calcium channel blockers in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
abstract: In this review the calcium channel blockers (CCB) were divided into three generations. The advantages and shortcomings of these drugs were described. The application of CCB in the treatment of hypertensive disease, ischaemic heart disease, congestive heart failure and heart arrhythmias was discussed. Actually, the optimal drugs from this group are representatives of the third generation: amlodipine and lacidipine. It seems that search for new CCB should be directed to find the substances similar to or better than the chemical entities of this third generation. The calcium sensitizing agents as a new positive inotropic drugs are signalled. The possibility that in the future the new CCB could have an application as psychotropic drugs is mentioned.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Silesian University School of Medicine, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Z S
authors.initials: ZS
authors.lastname: Herman
mesh_terms: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers