Characteristics of nicardipine treatment of patients with ischemic heart disease

: The new calcium antagonist nicardipine (barizine) was tested for effects on platelet function and transient myocardial ischemia in 23 patients with coronary heart disease. Prior to the therapy, lower platelet function was more frequently encountered in patients with more severe angina pectoris and more prolonged myocardial ischemia. The efficacy of nicardipine was demonstrated to be related to the clinical course of coronary heart disease and the baseline platelet function. It is advisable to prescribe the drug to patients with Functional Class II stable angina and higher platelet functional activity.