Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 23, 2026

Testing the Efficacy of Pharmacological Agents in a Pericardial Target Delivery Model in the Swine
Published on: July 7, 2016
Clinical Experience with Diltiazem in the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases
Luis Rodríguez Padial1, Gonzalo Barón-Esquivias2, Antonio Hernández Madrid3
1Department of Cardiology, Complejo Hospitalario de Toledo, Toledo, Spain. lrpadial@gmail.com.
Insights
Diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker, effectively treats hypertension and related cardiovascular conditions like angina and atrial fibrillation. This review highlights its safety and efficacy, offering clinical practice recommendations.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading global cause of mortality.
- Hypertension is a major risk factor for CVDs, necessitating effective blood pressure control.
- Calcium channel blockers are recognized as first-line agents for hypertension management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the effectiveness and safety of diltiazem in treating various cardiovascular diseases.
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for clinical diltiazem management.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical studies on diltiazem.
- Expert analysis of diltiazem's efficacy and safety profile.
- Evidence-based recommendation formulation.
Main Results:
- Diltiazem is an effective and safe antihypertensive agent, used alone or in combination.
- It reduces myocardial oxygen demand by lowering heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac contractility, benefiting stable chronic angina.
- Diltiazem slows atrioventricular node conduction, aiding heart rate control in atrial fibrillation.
Conclusions:
- Diltiazem is a valuable therapeutic option for hypertension, stable chronic angina, and atrial fibrillation.
- Clinical experts provide recommendations for optimal diltiazem use in practice.
- Evidence supports diltiazem's role in managing key cardiovascular disorders.
Unlabelled:
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the world. Coronary artery diseases, atrial fibrillation or hypertensive heart disease, are among the most important cardiovascular disorders. Hypertension represents a significant risk factor for cardiovascular mortality; thus, control of high blood pressure has become a priority to prevent major complications. Although the choice of drugs for treating hypertension remains controversial, extensive clinical evidences point to calcium channel blockers as first-line agents. Diltiazem, a non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, is an effective and safe antihypertensive drug, alone or in combination with other agents. Diltiazem lowers myocardial oxygen demand through a reduction in heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac contractility, representing also a good alternative for the treatment of stable chronic angina. Furthermore, diltiazem reduces conduction in atrioventricular node, which is also useful for heart rate control in patients with atrial fibrillation. In this review, clinical experts highlight studies on diltiazem effectiveness and safety for the treatment of several cardiovascular diseases and make evidence-based recommendations regarding the management of diltiazem in the clinical practice.
Funding:
Lacer Spain.
More Related Videos
12:45Benefits of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in an Asynchronous Heart Failure Model Induced by Left Bundle Branch Ablation and Rapid Pacing
Published on: December 11, 2017
08:42Cox-Maze IV Procedure Concomitant with Valvular Surgery In Situs Inversus Dextrocardia: A Single-Center Experience in China
Published on: February 11, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class IV Agents as Calcium Channel Blockers
Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, inhibits calcium movement across myocardial cell membranes and vascular smooth muscle. This results in the dilation of coronary and...
Antianginal Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers and Ranolazine
CCBs, a diverse class that includes dihydropyridines (nifedipine) and diphenylalkylamines (verapamil and diltiazem), exert their effect by blocking calcium channels in cardiac and smooth muscle cells. This...
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Calcium Channel Blockers
TKIs, such as imatinib (Gleevec), are particularly effective in tackling the growth and mitogenic factors that become upregulated in PAH patients. These factors contribute to the...
Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care