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Calcium entry blocking agents in digital vasospasm (Raynaud's phenomenon).

A Kahan, S Weber, B Amor

European Heart Journal

|May 1, 1983

Summary

Nifedipine effectively treats Raynaud's phenomenon and idiopathic digital vasospasm by reducing cold-induced vasospastic attacks. This calcium channel blocker offers significant therapeutic benefits for patients with these conditions.

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Area of Science:

Cardiology
Rheumatology
Pharmacology

Background:

Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) and idiopathic digital vasospasm are conditions characterized by digital vasospasm.
Connective tissue diseases like progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be associated with RP.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of nifedipine, a calcium entry blocker, in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon and idiopathic digital vasospasm.
To assess nifedipine's protective effect against cold-induced vasospasm.

Main Methods:

A preliminary study involved 16 patients receiving 20 mg oral nifedipine before cold water immersion.
A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial included 30 patients (10 PSS, 5 SLE, 3 RA, 12 idiopathic) treated with nifedipine (20 mg TID) or placebo for two weeks each.

Main Results:

Nifedipine protected 14 out of 16 patients from cold-induced vasospasm in the preliminary study.
In the ambulatory study, nifedipine significantly reduced weekly vasospastic attacks from 27.3 to 5.8 (P<0.01).
Improvement was greatest in idiopathic cases (90.9%), followed by SLE/RA (78.6%), and PSS (64.0%).

Conclusions:

Nifedipine is an effective treatment for Raynaud's phenomenon and idiopathic digital vasospasm.
The drug demonstrates significant efficacy in reducing the frequency of vasospastic attacks.
Treatment outcomes varied by underlying condition, with idiopathic cases showing the most pronounced improvement.