Calcium, Calcium Antagonists, and Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Why are cardiologists so interested in “calcium antagonists?” Firstly, active coronary vasomotor changes are now recognized to play an important role in certain anginal syndromes. Coronary spasm superimposed on atherosclerotic coronary artery disease is probably the most important contributing factor to angina at rest. Secondly, knowledge regarding the mechanism of contraction of vascular smooth muscle is rapidly advancing and the important role played by transmembrane calcium flux in this process is being defined. Thirdly, a diverse group of pharmacologic agents that block transmembrane calcium flux are clinically available and are being widely tested for their efficacy in a number of disorders, especially Prinzmetal's or variant angina. These drugs may also have intracellular actions as well. Because of the intense interest of both basic and clinical scientists in the calcium antagonists, a conference of investigators from very diverse fields was held in Ixtapa, Mexico, November 8–10, 1979 to exchange ideas and present new information. This publication represents the proceedings of this symposium. Some of the highlights are reviewed below.