"Calcium Influx Blockers" and Vascular Smooth Muscle: Do We Really Understand the Mechanisms?
Authors: Robert Zelis, Stephen F. Flaim
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1981)

Editorials1 January 1981"Calcium Influx Blockers" and Vascular Smooth Muscle: Do We Really Understand the Mechanisms?ROBERT ZELIS, M.D., STEPHEN F. FLAIM, PH.D.ROBERT ZELIS, M.D., STEPHEN F. FLAIM, PH.D.Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-94-1-124 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptWe are no longer referring to the new large class of cardiovascular drugs as "calcium antagonists" (1). These drugs do not act according to the traditional concepts of an agonist-antagonist relationship. Rather, the large heterogeneous group of drugs that lower intracellular calcium ion concentration are now called "calcium influx blockers" or "slow-channel blockers" or "inhibitors of the slow calcium current." Such a classification rests on the ability of these agents to inhibit the slow calcium influx that occurs during the plateau of the action potential (phase 2) after depolarization of cardiac tissue (2). By contrast, drugs that alter the "fast...References1. VANHOUTTEBOHR PD, eds. "Calcium influx blockers." Fed Proc. In press. Google Scholar2. REUTER H. Properties of two inward membrane currents in the heart. In: EDELMAN IS, ed. Annu Rev Physiol. 1979;41:413-24. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. ANTMANSTONEMULLERBRAUNWALD EPJE. Calcium channel blocking agents in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders: Part I: Basic and clinical electrophysiologic effects. Ann Intern Med. 1980;93:875-85. LinkGoogle Scholar4. FLAIMZELIS SR. Clinical use of "calcium influx blockers.". Fed Proc. In press. Google Scholar5. ZELISSCHROEDER RJ, eds. Calcium, calcium antagonists, and cardiovascular disease. Chest. 1980;78:121-247. Symposium. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. FLAIMCRAVEN SR. Diltiazem and verapamil inhibit norepinephrine stimulated 45Ca uptake in rabbit aorta. Pharmacology. In press. Google Scholar7. CASTEELS R. Electro- and pharmacomechanical coupling in vascular smooth muscle. See Reference 5, pp. 150-6. Google Scholar8. TRIGGLESWAMY DV. Pharmacology of agents that affect calcium: agonists and antagonists. See Reference 5, pp. 174-9. Google Scholar9. GINSBURGBRISTOWHARRISONSTINSON RMDE. Studies with isolated human coronary arteries: some general observations, potential mediators of spasm, role of calcium antagonists. See Reference 5, pp. 180-6. Google Scholar10. FLAIMSWIGARTGINSBURGZELIS SSRR. Rhythmicity in rabbit femoral artery: a model for human coronary spasm. Physiologist. 1980;23:102. Abstract. Google Scholar11. WEISSGOODMAN GF. Distribution of lanthanide (147Pm) in vascular smooth muscle. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1976;198:366-74. MedlineGoogle Scholar12. IRWINFLAIM JS. Effects of diltiazem on cellular 45Ca and 22Na in vascular smooth muscle. Fed Proc. 1980;39:1071. Abstract. Google Scholar13. IRWINRATZFLAIM JPS. Diltiazem: a calcium antagonist which stimulates O2 consumption rate by increasing Na-K pump activity in vascular smooth muscle. Circulation. 1980;62 (suppl III):III-10. Abstract. Google Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Division of Cardiology Department of Medicine The Milton S. 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