Diltiazem in ischemia-induced and reperfusion arrhythmias

The beneficial effect of the calcium antagonist diltiazem on ischemia-induced and reperfusion arrhythmias has been documented in several animal studies. This effect may be due to prevention or reversal of spasms (secondary to prevention of intracellular calcium overload), due to reduction of conduction delay, suppression of after-potentials and triggered activity, or a consequence of inactivation of increased sympathetic activity. The clinical importance of these arrhythmias in humans is still a matter of debate.