Calcium channel blockers in the treatment of ischemic heart disease

: After a brief review of the pathophysiological properties of calcium channel blockers on the ischaemic heart muscle the author deals with the therapeutic effect of blockers on coronary spasms and at the same time on vasodilatation of arteries in the systemic circulation. Their effect is manifested also by the favourable action on the arteriosclerotic process proper, the clinically significant retardation of atherogenesis, stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques. The author pays special attention to the new calcium channel blocker-amlodipine which as to its pharmacokinetic properties is superior to all hitherto used types of blockers.