Calcium-Channel Blockers

Calcium-channel blockers (CCBs) are a heterogeneous class of drugs inhibiting the transmembrane flow of calcium ions (https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML” display=“inline”> Ca 2 + https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink” xlink:href=“https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003642497/b48f1cbb-d223-4a0c-9a75-2620aaf16c68/content/ieq0071.tif”/>) through voltage-gated channels in myocardium, the impulse conduction system and vascular smooth muscle cells. They are traditionally classified into dihydropyridine (DHP) and non-DHP types, differently acting with vasodilators and/or negative inotropic, chronotropic or dromotropic effects, consequently being among the most frequently prescribed drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular (CV) diseases. Their range of use includes hypertension, ischemic heart disease, supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and pulmonary arterial hypertension. This chapter aims to summarize the pharmacological properties, the strongest evidence and guidelines-based recommendations about CCBs’ uses on the CV spectrum, providing a practical compendium orienting the cardiologist in everyday clinical practice.