Future directions in the use of calcium antagonists.

There are several reasons to expect that the use of calcium antagonists to treat cardiovascular disease will continue to spread. The scope of indications for existing calcium antagonists is expanding; new calcium antagonists with more selective organ affinity are being developed and these drugs may be given over the long term for prophylaxis against hypertension and for vasoprotection. In all probability, the long-term prophylactic use of calcium antagonists offers the most promise. The long-term effects of calcium antagonists for treating hypertension as well as for preventing vascular damage due to calcinosis and sclerosis will be discussed.