Chapter 27 The tissue specificity of calcium antagonists

The Ca²⁺ channel antagonists are a heterogeneous group of agents that define a common target yet exhibit remarkable selectivity and subtlety of action. The L-type channel with which these drugs interact dominates functionally the cardiovascular system, and this underscores the uses of these drugs in cardiovascular disorders. That these drugs exhibit cardiac: vascular selectivity and regional vascular selectivity is defined by a number of factors including pharmacokinetic, channel type and subtype, state-dependent interactions, pathology and the Ca²⁺ mobilization process affected.