[Which calcium antagonists for hypertension?].

Abstract

Calcium antagonists have been used for treatment of cardiovascular diseases for more than 25 years. Several recent retrospective studies have suggested that chronic treatment with short-acting dihydropyridines increased the incidence of cardiac events, cancer and gastrointestinal bleedings. Randomized prospective studies have, however, never been able to confirm these observations. In addition, well-conducted studies using verapamil and diltiazem have suggested that these calcium antagonists may even improve cardiovascular mortality and morbidity of the hypertensive patient. There is therefore no reason to believe that the questionable results derived from retrospective studies of the effects of short-acting calcium antagonists on cardiac and noncardiac events may apply to the newer generation of long-acting calcium antagonists.

• Authors: J P Degaute
• Journal: Revue medicale de Bruxelles (Rev Med Brux) Vol. 19 Issue 4 Pg. A389-92 (Sep 1998) ISSN: 0035-3639 [Print] Belgium
• Vernacular Title: Quels antagonistes calciques dans l'hypertension artérielle?
• PMID: 9805980 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Calcium Channel Blockers

Topics

• Calcium Channel Blockers (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Hypertension (complications, drug therapy, mortality)
• Neoplasms (chemically induced)
• Patient Selection
• Prospective Studies
• Retrospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome