BACKGROUND Dihydropiridine calcium-channel blockers are often used as an alternative to beta-blockers for the treatment of hypertension in patients undergoing aortic aneurysm surgery. We studied the relation between dihydropiridine calcium-channel blocker use and perioperative mortality in patients undergoing aortic aneurysm surgery. METHODS We studied 1000 patients [mean (range) age, 69 (22-...

To investigate the channels and neurotransmitters in the ventrolateral medulla (VLM) oblongata that are responsible for the maintenance of sympathetic tone and cardio-respiratory reflex regulation. Microinjections of excitant amino acid (glutamate, 100 nl, 100 mM), calcium channel blockers, agonists and antagonists were made throughout the VLM in anaesthetized rats. Arterial blood pressure, sym...

The beta subunits of voltage-dependent calcium channels are known to modify calcium channel currents through pore-forming alpha1 subunits. Of the four beta subunits reported to date, the beta3 subunit is highly expressed in smooth muscle cells and is thought to consist of L-type calcium channels. To determine the role of the beta3 subunit in the voltage-dependent calcium channels of the cardiov...

We have examined observational data from four published studies investigating the incidence of postoperative silent myocardial ischaemia (post-SMI) for the effects of chronic intercurrent therapy with β-adrenoceptor blockade or chronic calcium channel entry blockade. A total of 453 patients underwent ambulatory ECG monitoring before and for 2 days after non-cardiac surgery; 79 patients were rec...

In the elderly, calcium-channel blockers are the first-line treatment for hypertension, and macrolides are commonly prescribed antibiotics. Here we report a 78-year-old man taking nifedipine, diltiazem and carvedilol who presented with persistent hypotension and bradycardia after clarithromycin was prescribed. He was diagnosed with drug-induced hypotension and treated with fluid resuscitation a...

Objective(s) Calcium-channel blockers have an important role in the treatment of several cardiovascular disorders. Derivatives of 1, 4-dihydropyridine are one of the most potent calcium antagonists. In this study four novel ', 4-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers were synthesized and their hypotensive properties were investigated in male rats. Materials and Methods Four 1, 4-dihydropyr...

Background: Overdoses with cardiovascular drugs are related with significant morbidity and mortality. Beta-adrenergic blockers, calcium-channel blockers (CCBs), thiazide, digoxin and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors represent five of the most important classes of cardiovascular drugs. Overdoses with cardiovascular drugs are typically caused by exploratory ingestion by children or ...

To investigate the channels and neurotransmitters in the ventrolateral medulla (VLM) oblongata that are responsible for the maintenance of sympathetic tone and cardio-respiratory reflex regulation. Microinjections of excitant amino acid (glutamate, 100 nl, 100 mM), calcium channel blockers, agonists and antagonists were made throughout the VLM in anaesthetized rats. Arterial blood pressure, sym...

This article discusses how changes in luminal calcium concentration affect calcium release rates from triad-enriched sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles, as well as single channel opening probability of the ryanodine receptor/calcium release channels incorporated in bilayers. The possible participation of calsequestrin, or of other luminal proteins of sarcoplasmic reticulum in this regulation is ad...

Objective: In a previous work, we showed that asafoetida essential oil (AEO), from oleo-gum resin of Ferula asafoetida L. from the Apiaceae family, has a vasodilatory effect. This effect was both endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent. The present study was designed to determine whether potassium channels and intracellular calcium release contribute to AEO-i...