- Clinical science
Calcium channel blockers
Summary
Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are drugs that bind to and block the L-type calcium channel. The L-type channels are the predominant calcium channels in the myocardium and the vascular smooth muscles. By blocking these channels, CCBs cause peripheral arterial vasodilation and myocardial depression, which leads to a drop in blood pressure and negative chronotropic, inotropic, and dromotropic effects on the myocardium. The most common indications for CCB use are hypertension, angina, and supraventricular arrhythmias. CCBs are also beneficial in the treatment of cardiomyopathy, thromboangiitis obliterans, Raynaud's phenomenon, and cluster headaches. CCBs are divided into three classes based on their effects: dihydropyridines (e.g., nifedipine, amlodipine) are potent vasodilators, phenylalkylamines (verapamil, gallopamil) are potent myocardial depressants, and benzothiazepines (diltiazem) are moderate vasodilators and myocardial depressants. The main side effects of dihydropyridines are caused by vasodilation (headaches, peripheral edema, reflex tachycardia), and those of phenylalkylamines by myocardial depression (bradyarrhythmias, atrioventricular block). The side effects of benzothiazepines are generally similar but milder compared to those of the other CCB classes. CCBs are contraindicated in patients with pre-existing cardiac conduction disorders (e.g., atrioventricular block, sick sinus syndrome), symptomatic hypotension, and acute coronary syndrome.
Overview
Class of CCB | Examples | Effects | |
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Dihydropyridines [1][2] |
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Non-dihydropyridine CCBs | Benzothiazepines |
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Phenylalkylamines |
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References:[3]
Effects
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CCBs bind to and block L-type calcium channels → failure of calcium channels to open in response to depolarization of the cell membrane → decreased transmembrane calcium current
- → Vascular smooth muscle relaxation; → vasodilation; → ↓ peripheral vascular resistance →↓ blood pressure
- → ↓ Cardiac muscle contractility (negative inotropic action) → ↓ cardiac output → ↓ blood pressure
- → ↓ SAN rate (negative chronotropic action); → ↓ heart rate (bradycardia) → ↓ cardiac output → ↓ blood pressure
- → ↓ AVN conduction (negative dromotropic action) → termination of supraventricular arrhythmias
Side effects
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Phenylalkylamines (verapamil) primarily affect the calcium channels of the heart and are contraindicated in cases of heart failure because of their negative effect on myocardial contractility!
References:[4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
We list the most important adverse effects. The selection is not exhaustive.
Indications
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Common indications for CCBs
- Arterial hypertension (esp. amlodipine)
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Angina (all CCBs except for nifedipine)
- Stable angina (for patients with contraindications or who are not responsive to β blockers)
- Vasospastic angina (variant or Prinzmetal's angina)
- Supraventricular arrhythmias (esp. verapamil and diltiazem
- Less common indications
References:[11]
Contraindications
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All classes of CCB
- Allergy/hypersensitivity to CCBs
- Symptomatic hypotension
- Acute coronary syndrome
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Dihydropyridines
- Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM)
- Severe stenotic heart valve defects
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Benzothiazepines and phenylalkylamines
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Pre-existing cardiac conduction disorders
- Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
- Sick sinus syndrome
- Systolic dysfunction (in congestive heart failure)
- Bradycardia
- Second or third-degree atrioventricular block
- Combination with beta blockers → risk of AV block
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Pre-existing cardiac conduction disorders
References:[12][4][5][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]
We list the most important contraindications. The selection is not exhaustive.