title: [Calcium antagonists: current and future applications based on new evidence. Cardio-protective effect of calcium antagonists].
abstract: Calcium antagonists block calcium influx through the L-type calcium channel to produce dilatation of resistant arteries including coronary arteries. Due to arterial vasodilatation, calcium antagonists have beneficial effects for ischemic heart disease, left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure. Some of calcium antagonists are known to have the inhibitory action for T-type or N-type calcium channel which might be beneficial for the inhibition of reactive tachycardia. Calcium antagonists may also retard the progression of atherosclerosis to prevent cardiovascular events.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: Kenichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hongo
authors.forename: Michihiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoshimura
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type; D020864:Calcium Channels, N-Type; D020747:Calcium Channels, T-Type; D004095:Dihydropyridines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type; D020864:Calcium Channels, N-Type; D020747:Calcium Channels, T-Type; D004095:Dihydropyridines