title: [The effect of calcium channel blockers for hypertension--a survey of a Cochrane review].
abstract: The Cochrane analysis comprises data from 18 trials with a total of 140,000 patients. Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) were superior to beta-blockers on stroke reduction. CCBs were also superior to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers on stroke reduction, most likely explained by differences in achieved blood pressure. We question the conclusion, that diuretics are superior to CCBs as agents of first choice, but the analysis supports the view taken by many guidelines, that beta-blockers no longer are drugs of first choice.
authors.affiliation: Medicinsk Afdeling M, Regionshospitalet Viborg, 8800 Viborg, Denmark. lederballe@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: Ole
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lederballe
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ibsen
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004232:Diuretics