PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Theodore Thomas
AU  - Donald G. Vidt
TI  - Calcium channel blockers in the management of arterial hypertension
DP  - 1987 Nov 01
TA  - Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
PG  - 529--536
VI  - 54
IP  - 6
4099  - http://www.ccjm.org/content/54/6/529.short
4100  - http://www.ccjm.org/content/54/6/529.full
SO  - Cleve Clin J Med1987 Nov 01; 54
AB  - The calcium channel blockers are a new class of vasodilators that are effective in treating arterial hypertension. They may be particularly effective in black hypertensives, in the elderly, and in patients with alpha-adrenergic-mediated vasoconstriction. Three agents, nifedipine, verapamil, and diltiazem, are currently available in the United States. Nifedipine, in particular, rapidly reduces blood pressure in severe hypertension or in hypertensive urgencies. These agents have cardioprotective effects, and do not affect lipid metabolism, the pulmonary system, nor the central nervous system. As additional calcium channel blockers are developed, and as more sustained release forms become available, the current disadvantages of short duration of action and high cost should be overcome, making these agents a logical alternative choice for both initial and additive therapy of arterial hypertension.