Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:dateCreated
1991-5-9
pubmed:abstractText
Although vasodilation, direct cardiac actions, or both represent the main properties of calcium channel blockers, there are further pharmacologic effects that may be therapeutically relevant. For example, hemorrheological effects, which have been demonstrated for a variety of calcium antagonists, have received relatively little attention to date. Hemorrheology describes the mechanics of blood and its components. It is of particular interest in the context of cardiovascular disease, as it has been shown that under certain conditions (reduced pump function, impaired vasomotor reserve), parameters of blood fluidity may be crucial for tissue perfusion. Whole-blood viscosity is the dominating factor in large arteries. For geometrical reasons, plasma viscosity and the rheological properties of blood cells may become of paramount importance at the microcirculatory level. In ischemic states, erythrocytes may be depleted of ATP, which they need for maintenance of normal shape and for transformation. This results in rigidification of the red blood cell and hindrance of its passage in the microcirculatory bed. Hence, blood flow deteriorates with the consequence of further unfavorable changes of the "milieu interieur," leading to the induction of a vicious cycle. Although effects on several hemorrheological parameters, for example, whole-blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, and red cell aggregation, can be demonstrated for various calcium channel blockers, the main rheological effects of these compounds are believed to consist in the improvement of erythrocyte deformability. When the ATP-dependent calcium pump is impaired in ischemia, calcium channel blockers may inhibit the slow inward transmembrane calcium flux and prevent the accumulation of intracellular calcium.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:issn
0160-2446
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
16 Suppl 6
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
S40-4
pubmed:dateRevised
2005-11-16
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1990
pubmed:articleTitle
The effects of calcium channel blockers on blood fluidity.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Klinikum der Universität, Ulm, F.R.G.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Review