[Calcium antagonists in the treatment of arterial hypertension. Attempt at a differential therapy].

In the treatment of arterial hypertonia with calcium antagonists good use is made of the vasodilatory effect, which is in the chronic therapy not accompanied by water and volume retention. In three clinical studies it was investigated, which patients could be given a single drug treatment with calcium antagonists. Older patients with a high basal blood pressure and a slight activation of the renin system seem to respond most favourably. Single drug therapy with calcium antagonists is also advantageous for the various illnesses accompanying hypertonia, such as coronary heart disease, cardiac insufficiency, obstructive lung disease or diabetes mellitus.