Calcium blockade as a therapeutic principle in arterial hypertension. Clinical aspects and experimental studies on isolated vessels from spontaneously hypertensive rats and normotensive man

Hemodynamic effects of Ro 23-6152 in patients with essential hypertension

In a double blind study 8 patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension received in random order single oral doses of placebo and 10, 30 and 80 mg Ro 23-6152, a novel calcium entry blocker, on 4 different days. Patients were assessed 15 min before dosing and at several time intervals over the following 6 h. Ro 23-6152 30 and 80 mg induced a significant decrease (mean maximum 7 mmHg.1-1.min-1) in total peripheral resistance, while cardiac output, stroke volume and heart rate were slightly increased (mean maximum 0.51.min-1, 10 ml, 5 beats.min-1, respectively) but not significantly so. Systolic blood pressure decreased significantly (5 to 10 mmHg) from 0.5 to 6 h after the 80 mg dose. After the 10 and 30 mg doses the decreases in systolic pressure were not significant. Diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial blood pressure were non-significantly decreased (mean maximum 7 mmHg) after all doses. The PQ interval was also non-significantly increased by no more than 20 ms. It appears that the main hemodynamic effect of Ro 23-6152 in hypertensive patients is a decrease in peripheral resistance. The antihypertensive effect, at least in this short term study, was only modest, probably because the fall in peripheral resistance was partly compensated by an increase in cardiac output.

Isradipine in hypertension

Calcium antagonists, particularly those derived from the dihydropyridine class, have shown remarkable efficacy in the treatment of hypertension and other cardiovascular disorders. This review will concentrate on the use of one of the newer compounds in this category, isradipine, in the treatment of arterial hypertension. Isradipine is a calcium antagonist with marked vascular selectivity and, in practical terms, is devoid of cardiac effects. Its usefulness in hypertension is well documented, both when used as single drug treatment and in combination with other agents, particularly beta-blockers. Isradipine is well tolerated, does not cause metabolic disturbances and, apart from the typical dihydropyridine-type vascular adverse effects, e.g. flushing and ankle oedema, it does not cause any specific side effect. Some results obtained with isradipine in animal studies, e.g. the antiatherosclerotic effect and the brain tissue preserving effect seen in experimental stroke, appear to hold great promise for future important clinical applications for isradipine.

Antihypertensive and metabolic effects of diltiazem and nifedipine

The antihypertensive effect of diltiazem (180-270 mg/day) and nifedipine (40-60 mg/day) in slow-release forms was assessed over 8 weeks in a double-blind parallel study in 40 subjects with essential hypertension at rest and during exercise. Blood pressure was comparably reduced in both groups at rest as well as during exercise. The responder rates (greater than or equal to 10% reduction in diastolic blood pressure) after 8 weeks of therapy were 53% at rest and 75% during exercise in the diltiazem group and 78% and 50%, respectively, in the nifedipine group. Diltiazem decreased heart rate by 8% (p less than 0.01), while nifedipine did not affect it. As a consequence, myocardial oxygen consumption, as judged by the pressure-rate product, was reduced by diltiazem. Resting plasma norepinephrine levels were increased significantly after 8 weeks of diltiazem therapy. Plasma epinephrine, renin, aldosterone, glucose, insulin, and lactate and routine laboratory parameters were unchanged at the end of the study. No significant changes in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were observed after 8 weeks. Whereas therapy with diltiazem resulted in an 8% fall in low density lipoprotein cholesterol after 8 weeks (p less than 0.05), nifedipine induced a drop in very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (p less than 0.05) after 8 weeks of therapy. We conclude that both diltiazem and nifedipine are effective antihypertensive agents lacking undesirable metabolic side effect. Diltiazem, however, had the advantage of lowering heart rate and myocardial oxygen consumption.

Studies on verapamil in the treatment of essential hypertension: a review

Various doses of verapamil, using the conventional and sustained release formulations, have been administered for the treatment of mild or moderate hypertension in different controlled studies for periods of 4-6 weeks, involving a total of 103 patients, and in one long-term trial for 1 year in 12 patients. A double-blind comparison of verapamil and nifedipine showed that the two calcium antagonists had equal antihypertensive action. A significant blood pressure (BP) reduction was achieved with verapamil both at rest and during isometric exercise in the great majority of patients. No significant correlation was found between age and BP reduction, but pretreatment BP and pressure reduction correlated positively. Heart rate (HR) was moderately but significantly reduced by verapamil. The established wide interindividual differences in verapamil pharmacokinetics were confirmed. There was no significant correlation between plasma drug concentrations and BP reduction, but the dosage regimens with the highest mean plasma drug concentrations were associated with the greatest mean reduction in BP. A moderate, but significant, prolongation of AV-conduction was demonstrated. QRS- and QT-intervals were unaffected. Side-effects, with all formulations of verapamil, were generally mild and often transient. No significant haematological or metabolic effects were observed during long-term treatment. It is concluded that the calcium antagonist verapamil is an effective and safe drug. It can be considered as an alternative drug in mild and moderate essential hypertension.

Comparison of two calcium antagonists, verapamil and fendiline, in an experimental model of myocardial ischaemia mimicking classical angina on effort

1 The effects of verapamil (0.15/kg) and fendiline (3 mg/kg) were studied in anaesthetized, thoracotomised dogs with a critical constriction of the left anterior descending coronary artery, paced in excess of the initial rate by 60-70 beats/min. Epicardial ST-segment elevation and changes in lactate uptake were used to assess the severity of myocardial ischaemia. 2 Both drugs prevented the ST-segment elevation and the reduced lactate uptake that resulted from atrial pacing. 3 The anti-ischaemic effect of fendiline is mainly due to its negative chronotropic action, whereas that of verapamil is due in part to bradycardia and in part to the reduced preload and afterload. In addition, both agents increase coronary flow to the ischaemic area and thus improve the myocardial oxygen supply/oxygen requirement ratio.

Calcium, the control of smooth muscle function and bronchial hyperreactivity

The Ca2+ requirements for excitation-contraction coupling in smooth muscle may be satisfied from both intracellular and extracellular sources, the relative extent of use of which is both tissue- and stimulant-dependent. Extracellular Ca2+ is apparently mobilized through two separate pathways, receptor operated (ROC) and potential dependent (PDC) Ca2+ channels. The latter process is sensitive to the Ca2+-channel antagonists, a heterogeneous group of compounds including verapamil, nifedipine and diltiazem. Ca2+ mobilization in respiratory smooth muscle is reviewed. The available evidence for this multiple stimulant-sensitive system indicates that both intra- and extracellular sources of Ca2+ are used. Data from bovine, canine and guinea pig tracheal muscle indicate, from studies of Ca2+-dependence of response and Ca2+ channel antagonist sensitivity, that the extent of use of extracellular Ca2+ lies in the order K+ greater than histamine greater than or equal to 5-hydroxytryptamine greater than acetylcholine. The bronchodilator activity of the Ca2+ channel antagonists is noted. Bronchial hyperreactivity is characterized by an increased sensitivity to a variety of stimulants including cold air, exercise, histamine and acetylcholine. The possible origins of this defect are noted. It is suggested that a defect in Ca2+ mobilization or in the receptor - Ca2+ mobilization coupling process at the level of the smooth muscle may constitute an important underlying cause of bronchial hyperreactivity. Potential analogies to reactivity changes seen in hypertensive vascular smooth muscle are noted.

Long-term therapy of arterial hypertension with nifedipine given alone or in combination with a beta-adrenoceptor blocking agent

The antihypertensive effect of nifedipine during long-term therapy was investigated in 5 patients receiving nifedipine as the sole drug and in 10 patients who had nifedipine in combination with a beta-adrenoceptor blocking drug. Nifedipine monotherapy was problematic because of side-effects and development of resistance to therapy after a few months. In patients who received the combined therapy significant and stable blood pressure reductions were maintained during the whole observation period (12-33 months). However, the occurrence of peripheral oedema in 4 of the patients necessitated the addition of a thiazide diuretic. It is concluded that nifedipine is not a first choice drug for the long-term treatment of arterial hypertension. When given in addition to a beta-blocker it is well tolerated and powerful but fluid retention may occur and if not counteracted by a diuretic it will limit the antihypertensive potential of the drug.