[Recent multi-center clinical studies about calcium blockade and cardiovascular diseases]

Recently, a lot of multi-center clinical studies about calcium (Ca) blockade and cardiovascular diseases have been investigated. Though the ability to reduce blood pressure is the most important thing, much attention is also paid to the effect of organ protection effect beyond blood pressure lowering. Compared to angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) or angiotensin converting enzyme-inhibitor (ACE-I), amlodipine among Ca channel blockers shows excellent protective effect of cardiovascular disease. As specified to the kidney disease, renin-angiotensin (RA) inhibition by ARB or ACE-I is much effective than Ca blockade, however, Ca channel blocker is thought to be the first choice as for the blood pressure lowering of ischemic heart disease patients. From now on, further studies will be expected to prove not only the effect of RA system drugs, but also Ca channel blockers, moreover, to know the differences of benefit among many Ca channel blockers.