Calcium antagonists and the renal hemodynamic response to vasoconstrictors

These findings demonstrate that calcium antagonists reverse renal vasoconstriction in a variety of settings. The ability of calcium antagonists to augment GFR of the vasoconstricted kidney is striking and has also been demonstrated in a number of in vivo settings. These observations and others raise the possibility that calcium antagonists have potential utility in the treatment of a number of disorders characterized by renal ischemia and consequent renal insufficiency. Further studies to evaluate this possibility are required. The unique effects of calcium antagonists on GFR reflect a regional heterogeneity within the renal microcirculation and a preferential action of calcium antagonists on the afferent arteriole. Final resolution of the pharmacological basis for the renal hemodynamic actions of calcium antagonists will require a more complete understanding of the divergent activating mechanisms within the renal microcirculation.