Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 20, 2026

Isolation of Human Atrial Myocytes for Simultaneous Measurements of Ca2+ Transients and Membrane Currents
10:53

Isolation of Human Atrial Myocytes for Simultaneous Measurements of Ca2+ Transients and Membrane Currents

Published on: July 3, 2013

Calcium channel blockers in cardiac failure

N Mahon1, W J McKenna

  • 1Department of Cardiological Sciences, St George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK.

Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases
|January 1, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Calcium channel blockers

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Congestive cardiac failure (CCF) is a growing health concern with significant morbidity and mortality.
  • The therapeutic role of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) in managing heart failure remains uncertain.
  • CCBs offer potential benefits including vasodilation, anti-ischemic effects, improved endothelial function, and favorable calcium cycling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of various calcium channel blockers in the treatment of congestive cardiac failure.
  • To explore the mechanisms underlying the potential benefits and risks of CCBs in heart failure patients.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical trial data and pharmacological studies on CCBs in heart failure.
  • Analysis of specific CCBs such as short-acting dihydropyridines, diltiazem, verapamil, amlodipine, and mibefradil.

Main Results:

  • Short-acting dihydropyridines showed no long-term clinical benefit in heart failure.
  • Diltiazem may benefit nonischemic heart failure; verapamil has a neutral effect but may aid ACE inhibition.
  • Amlodipine demonstrated promising results, including a mortality benefit in nonischemic heart failure.

Conclusions:

  • The role of CCBs in heart failure is complex, with varying effects depending on the specific agent and heart failure type.
  • Amlodipine shows potential, particularly in nonischemic heart failure, warranting further investigation.
  • Further research is needed to clarify the role of CCBs in diastolic dysfunction and in combination therapies.

More Related Videos

Determination of the Relative Cell Surface and Total Expression of Recombinant Ion Channels Using Flow Cytometry11:32

Determination of the Relative Cell Surface and Total Expression of Recombinant Ion Channels Using Flow Cytometry

Published on: September 28, 2016

Contractions of Human-iPSC-derived Cardiomyocyte Syncytia Measured with a Ca-sensitive Fluorescent Dye in Temperature-controlled 384-well Plates07:42

Contractions of Human-iPSC-derived Cardiomyocyte Syncytia Measured with a Ca-sensitive Fluorescent Dye in Temperature-controlled 384-well Plates

Published on: October 18, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Antihypertensive Drugs: Action of Calcium Channel Blockers01:18

Antihypertensive Drugs: Action of Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium ions are essential to contract smooth muscle cells in blood vessels. They enter these cells through voltage-dependent calcium channels, specifically L-type calcium channels in the cell membrane. These L-type calcium channels are integral to the excitation-contraction coupling process in smooth muscle. When a stimulus is received by smooth muscle cells, their membrane depolarizes. This alteration in membrane potential instigates the opening of L-type calcium channels. As a result,...
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class I Agents as Sodium Channel Blockers01:22

Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class I Agents as Sodium Channel Blockers

Class I antiarrhythmic drugs are used to treat various types of arrhythmias or irregular heart rhythms. These drugs block the sodium (Na+) channels in the cardiac cells, thereby affecting the movement of electrical impulses across the heart. Class I antiarrhythmic drugs are divided into three subgroups: Class IA, Class IB, and Class IC, each with distinct mechanisms of action and effects on the heart.
Class 1A Antiarrhythmic Drugs: These drugs work by moderately blocking sodium channels,...
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class IV Agents as Calcium Channel Blockers01:20

Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class IV Agents as Calcium Channel Blockers

Class IV antiarrhythmic drugs, such as verapamil and diltiazem, block calcium channels. They primarily affect the heart, slowing the conduction in calcium-dependent tissues like the SA and AV nodes. These drugs manage reentrant supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and reduce ventricular rate in atrial flutter/fibrillation.
Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, inhibits calcium movement across myocardial cell membranes and vascular smooth muscle. This results in the dilation of coronary and...
Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents01:26

Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents

Positive inotropic agents are commonly used as the first line of treatment for heart failure. One such agent is digoxin, derived from the genus Digitalis, which has been known for centuries but effectively utilized since 1785. However, these cardiac glycosides can have potentially toxic effects due to their mechanism of action, which involves inhibiting Na+/K+-ATPase and increasing contractility. Digoxin is absorbed orally and distributed in various tissues, including the CNS. It has a long...
Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers01:22

Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers

β-adrenergic antagonists, commonly known as β-blockers, block the effects of sympathetic neurotransmitters such as noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (ADR). They have several beneficial effects in heart failure treatment. They reduce heart rate, the force of contraction, and cardiac muscle relaxation. They also slow the atrial-ventricular conduction rate and raise the threshold for arrhythmias. The concentration of β-blockers determines their effects on bronchodilation, vasodilation, and...
Antianginal Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers and Ranolazine01:25

Antianginal Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers and Ranolazine

Angina pectoris, a primary symptom of ischemic heart disease, requires careful pharmacological interventions. In this context, calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and ranolazine have emerged as crucial pharmacotherapeutic agents, providing deep insights into the complexities of angina management.
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...