Document Detail


Calcium antagonists. Clinical use in the treatment of arrhythmias.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  6339197     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Calcium antagonists have recently emerged as a class of drugs for the treatment of angina, hypertension and certain cardiac arrhythmias. Verapamil is the prototype calcium antagonist and has the most clearly defined antiarrhythmic properties. Other agents in the class include D-600 (gallopamil), tiapamil, nifedipine, and diltiazem. The antiarrhythmic effects of these compounds can be correlated with their electrophysiological properties which may differ significantly among different compounds and also between isolated tissues in intact animals and man. As a class they do not increase the effective refractory period of the atria, ventricle, His-Purkinje fibres or the accessory pathways in the heart. The dominant effect is slowing of conduction in the AV node with the prolongation of the AV nodal refractory period. The most marked changes are produced by verapamil, the least with nifedipine which is devoid of antiarrhythmic actions. Verapamil and its congeners as well as diltiazem terminate paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and slow the ventricular response in atrial flutter and fibrillation. They are also of prophylactic value in preventing recurrences of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and controlling the ventricular response in atrial flutter and fibrillation during long term oral therapy. Their value in ventricular arrhythmias is uncertain but they are unlikely to be effective except in those complicating coronary artery spasms. The relative merits and potencies of various calcium antagonists in different arrhythmias need further studies.
Authors:
B N Singh; K Nademanee; S H Baky
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Drugs     Volume:  25     ISSN:  0012-6667     ISO Abbreviation:  Drugs     Publication Date:  1983 Feb 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1983-05-27     Completed Date:  1983-05-27     Revised Date:  2007-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7600076     Medline TA:  Drugs     Country:  AUSTRALIA    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  125-53     Citation Subset:  IM    
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
Arrhythmias, Cardiac / drug therapy*
Atrial Fibrillation / drug therapy
Calcium Channel Blockers / adverse effects,  pharmacology,  therapeutic use*
Death, Sudden / prevention & control
Electrophysiology
Heart Ventricles
Humans
Tachycardia, Paroxysmal / drug therapy
Verapamil / therapeutic use
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; 0/Calcium Channel Blockers; 52-53-9/Verapamil

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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