[The effect of calcium channel blockers in experimental myocardial infarct in rats]

The effect of the blockers of calcium channels on the development of myocardial ischaemia in rats with an occlusion of the coronary artery was examined. An occlusion of the coronary artery was carried out in rats anaesthetized with pentobarbital by tightening the ends of the ligature freely placed under the left coronary artery - ramus interventricularis seven days prior to ligation. The ischaemia-induced changes in the R-wave and ST-segment were recorded using ECG. The occlusion of the coronary artery produced arrhythmias, a significant elevation of the ST-segment and a slight increase in the heart rate. The blockers of calcium channels with different pharmacological properties - verapamil, nifedipine and diltiazem influenced the ischaemia-induced changes with different intensity. Nifedipine (0.02 mg.kg-1, i.v., 30 min prior to occlusion), verapamil (0.2 mg.kg-1, i.v., 10 mins prior to ischaemia), and diltiazem (0.3 mg.kg-1, i.v., 10 mins prior to ischemia) significantly reduced the increased elevation of the ST-segment. The highest effect on the above-mentioned model was shown by verapamil.