Calcium channel blockers

Abstract

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are a group of drugs which alter the function of many cells by inhibiting calcium channels. In the cardiovascular system, CCBs cause peripheral and coronary vasodilatation, and exert negative inotropic effects by inhibiting cardiomyocytes. Some CCBs act on the conduction system by slightly lowering heart rate and decelerating atrioventricular conduction. Due to these effects, CCBs are used in the treatment of arterial hypertension, angina pectoris and supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. Based on their vascular selectivity, CCBs can be classified as vasoselective dihydropyridines and non-vasoselective non-dihydropyridines. Vascular selectivity is the ratio between their vasodilating and negative inotropic effects. CCBs are widely used in a number of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular indications thanks to their favorable pharmacological properties: high efficiency, metabolic neutrality, rare contraindications, good possibilities of combination with other drugs, favorable pharmacokinetics and rare undesirable effects.