The role of calcium antagonists in the treatment of chronic heart failure.

Calcium antagonists have been widely used for the treatment of angina and hypertension. Because of vasodilator and anti-ischaemic properties, calcium antagonists might be expected to bring benefit to patients with heart failure, particularly when the heart failure is due to coronary heart disease. Eight trials of calcium antagonists, fulfilling specific criteria, have been reviewed. The evidence at present does not support the use of calcium antagonists in established heart failure. Some benefit may accure from the use of the newer calcium antagonists but further trials are awaited. Calcium antagonists appear to improve diastolic fraction in patients with coronary heart disease, no overt heart failure but a reduced ejection fraction.