Effect of amlodipine on cardiopulmonary performance in volunteers

1. In order to exclude a significant effect of the calcium channel antagonist amlodipine on cardiopulmonary performance in normal subjects, we performed a double-blind cross-over study of amlodipine (10 mg daily for 2 weeks) on oxygen uptake and catecholamine responses during exercise in eight volunteers. 2. Despite a therapeutic plasma concentration of amlodipine (22.8+/-9 ng/mL), there was no change in resting heart rate or blood pressure. Amlodipine did not cause significant change in oxygen uptake at the anaerobic threshold or at maximum exercise and there was also no change in heart rate or catecholamine responses. 3. Although there was an awareness of peripheral vasodilation and reports of lethargy during the active treatment period, the volunteers had no objective evidence of a decrease in cardiopulmonary performance. We suggest that use of amlodipine as a vasodilator in the perioperative period would not add to the myocardial depressant effects of general anaesthesia in patients with normal cardiac function.