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Isolation of Human Atrial Myocytes for Simultaneous Measurements of Ca2+ Transients and Membrane Currents
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Isolation of Human Atrial Myocytes for Simultaneous Measurements of Ca2+ Transients and Membrane Currents

Published on: July 3, 2013

[Calcium antagonists: current and future applications based on new evidence. Cardio-protective effect of calcium

Kenichi Hongo1, Michihiro Yoshimura

  • 1Division of Cardiology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Japan.

Clinical Calcium
|January 6, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Calcium antagonists dilate arteries by blocking L-type calcium channels, benefiting heart conditions like ischemic heart disease. They may also prevent atherosclerosis progression and cardiovascular events.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine

Context:

  • Calcium antagonists are a class of drugs that modulate calcium ion (Ca2+) influx.
  • L-type calcium channels are crucial in regulating vascular tone, particularly in resistant and coronary arteries.

Purpose:

  • To elucidate the mechanisms and therapeutic benefits of calcium antagonists in cardiovascular diseases.
  • To explore the potential roles of different calcium channel subtypes (L-type, T-type, N-type) in cardiovascular health and disease prevention.

Summary:

  • Calcium antagonists inhibit calcium influx via L-type calcium channels, leading to arterial vasodilation, including in coronary arteries.
  • This vasodilation confers benefits for ischemic heart disease, left ventricular hypertrophy, and heart failure.
  • Inhibition of T-type or N-type calcium channels by certain antagonists may help manage reactive tachycardia, while overall effects may retard atherosclerosis and prevent cardiovascular events.

Impact:

  • Provides a comprehensive overview of calcium antagonist mechanisms and their established and potential clinical applications.
  • Highlights the multifaceted role of calcium channel modulation in managing complex cardiovascular conditions.
  • Supports the understanding of calcium antagonists as agents for both treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

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