Calcium channel blocking drugs (CCBs) bind to different calcium channel sites and have varying effects on cardiac and vascular tissue. Nifedipine is the most selective vasodilator while verapamil and diltiazem are more equipotent between cardiac tissue and vasculature. CCBs reduce afterload through peripheral vasodilation but have little effect on preload or contractility. Nifedipine is most likely to cause hypotension and reflex tachycardia due to its strong vasodilatory effects, while verapamil may worsen heart failure or cause heart block.

1. Calcium Channel Blocking Drugs

3. Three Classes of CCBs Chemical Type Chemical Names Brand Names Phenylalkylamines verapamil Calan, Calna SR, Isoptin SR, Verelan Benzothiazepines diltiazem Cardizem CD, Dilacor XR 1,4-Dihydropyridines Nifedipine nicardipine isradipine felodipine amlodipine Adalat CC, Procardia XL Cardene DynaCirc Plendil Norvasc

6. The Three Classes of CCBs Bind to Different Sites 1,4- Dihydropyridines (nifedipine) Phenylalkylamines (verapamil) Benzothiazepines (diltiazem) Ca 2+ pore - - - - + + -

9. Why Do CCBs Act Selectively on Cardiac and Vascular Muscle?

10. N-type and P-type Ca 2+ channels mediate neurotransmitter release in neurons postsynaptic cell Ca 2+ Ca 2+ Ca 2+ Ca 2+ Ca 2+

11. Skeletal muscle relies on intracellular Ca 2+ for contraction Myofibril Plasma membrane Transverse tubule Terminal cisterna of SR Tubules of SR Triad T SR

12. Cardiac cells rely on L-type Ca 2+ channels for contraction and for the upstroke of the AP in slow response cells Contractile Cells (atria, ventricle) L-Type Ca 2+ Ca 2+ Ca 2+ Slow Response Cells (SA node, AV node) L-Type Ca 2+ Ca 2+

13. Vascular smooth muscle relies on Ca 2+ influx through L-type Ca 2+ channels for contraction (graded, Ca 2+ dependent contraction) L-Type Ca 2+

16. Differential effects of different CCBs on CV cells AV SN AV SN Potential reflex increase in HR, myocardial contractility and O 2 demand Coronary VD Dihydropyridines: Selective vasodilators Non -dihydropyridines: equipotent for cardiac tissue and vasculature Heart rate moderating Peripheral and coronary vasodilation Reduced inotropism Peripheral vasodilation

17. Hemodynamic Effects of CCBs Effect Verapamil Diltiazem Nifedipine Peripheral vasodilatation    Coronary vasodilatation    Preload 0 0 0/ Afterload    Contractility  0/   /  * Heart rate 0/    /0 AV conduction   0

19. CCBs: Pharmacokinetics Agent Oral Absorption (%) Bioavail- Ability (%) Protein Bound (%) Elimination Half-Life (h) Verapamil >90 10-35 83-92 2.8-6.3* Diltiazem >90 41-67 77-80 3.5-7 Nifedipine >90 45-86 92-98 1.9-5.8 Nicardipine -100 35 >95 2-4 Isradipine >90 15-24 >95 8-9 Felodipine -100 20 >99 11-16 Amlodipine >90 64-90 97-99 30-50

21. Comparative Adverse Effects Diltiazem Verapamil Dihydropyridines Overall 0-3% 10-14% 9-39% Hypotension ++ ++ +++ Headaches 0 + +++ Peripheral Edema ++ ++ +++ Constipation 0 ++ 0 CHF (Worsen) 0 + 0 AV block + ++ 0 Caution w/beta blockers + ++ 0

24. Contradications for CCBs Contraindication Verapamil Nifedipine Diltiazem Hypotension + ++ + Sinus bradycardia + 0 + AV conduction defects ++ 0 ++ Severe cardiac failure ++ + +

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