Affiliation:
1. Department of Cardiology Guy's Hospital London
Abstract
SUMMARYCalcium channel blockers have been available since the early 1960s. Extensive research has been undertaken to evaluate their usefulness in the treatment of patients with ischaemic heart disease. We have reviewed the pharmacology of these drugs and the major clinical trials. In particular, we have examined the effect of calcium channel blockers on the progression of atheroma, and their role in the following clinical settings: following myocardial infarction, following non‐Q‐wave myocardial infarction, and in unstable angina.