Effects of diltiazem on renovascular-hypertensive and on normotensive rats

1. The effects of 10-min perfusions of diltiazem (o.1-2.5 mg/kg, i.v.) on arterial blood pressure were studied in anesthetized renovascular-hypertensive and in normotensive rats. 2. Diltiazem produced a dose-dependent decrease in blood pressure in hypertensive rats (ED50 congruent to 1 mg/kg). 3. Diltiazem also decreased blood pressure in normotensive rats, but this action was less sustained than in hypertensive rats. 4. These results support the contention that diltiazem might be useful for treating arterial hypertension.