Meta-analysis of efficacy and safety of second-generation dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers in heart failure.
Second-generation dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers slightly increase cardiac index, left ventricular ejection fraction, and exercise treadmill tests in patients with chronic heart failure, and do not increase norepinephrine levels; these drugs seem to be safe and beneficial in this category of patients. A 6% reduction in mortality was found, which, although not significantly different from 0%, does indicate that these drugs do not increase mortality in this category of patients.
Cleophas
T J
TJ
Department of Medicine, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht, The Netherlands. ajm.cleophas@wxs.nl
van Marum
R
R
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004095:Dihydropyridines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004095:Dihydropyridines