Use of calcium channel blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors after cardiac transplantation.
OBJECTIVE
Hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes are very common problems following heart transplantation and may contribute to the development and progression of graft coronary artery disease. This article reviews current data on clinical use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and calcium channel blockers in patients who have had heart transplants.


RESULTS
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and calcium channel blockers are established therapy for patients with cardiovascular disease. Use of these medications correlates with decreasing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
After heart transplantation, hypertension associated with calcineurin inhibitors can be managed effectively with antihypertensive therapy, but it may require use of more than one antihypertensive agent. Calcium channel blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors have been associated with improved outcome measures in graft coronary artery disease.
Rockx
Marie-Antoinette
MA
The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
Haddad
Haissam
H
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D018450:Disease Progression; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers