Calcium antagonists: from history of creation to modern clinical practice
The article discusses the problem of using calcium antagonists in clinical practice. Taking into account the current guidelines, the place of calcium antagonists in the treatment of major cardiovascular diseases was defined: hypertension, coronary artery disease, supraventricular arrhythmias, etc. Clinical trials are described which provided the evidence base for the use of calcium antagonists. The feasibility of long-acting calcium channel blockers which represent an optimum combination of efficiency and safety is emphasized. The results of clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of diltiazem for the treatment of patients with cardiovascular diseases are discussed.