title: Calcium channel blockers: do they have pleiotropic effects on atherosclerosis?
abstract: Since 1980, calcium channel blockers (CCBs) have been used effectively to lower high blood pressure (HBP). Flekestein proposed that CCBs could be used to avoid calcium deposition on the arterial wall, one of the main components of atherosclerosis. This is also called ectopic calcium. This review briefly looks over the current role of CCBs in atherosclerosis and the future based on human trials still in progress.
authors.affiliation: Universidad Central de Venezuela, Escuela de Medicina José María Vargas, Departmento de Salud Pública, Caracas.
authors.forename: I F
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Pérez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D002784:Cholesterol; D002118:Calcium