[The role of calcium inhibitors in the treatment of arterial hypertension].

Base on their own experience with isradipine and results of a multicentric study with amplodipine in the Slovak Republic, as well as based on data in the literature the authors conclude that: 1. In the treatment of arterial hypertension associated in the syndrome of insulin resistance (syndrome X and 5H resp.) with type 2 diabetes, hyperlipiproteinaemia and hyperinsulinism drugs of first choice include ACE-inhibitors and Ca antagonist of the second generation, dihydropiridine type, such as amplodipine, isradipine, fellodipine, nirtendipine etc. ACE inhibitors and Ca antagonist of the dihydropyridine type with prolonged effect have a good tolerance, few undesirable effect, a favourable effect on the decline of BP, regression of hypertrophy of the left ventricle and vascular wall; they do not cause deterioration of insulin resistance and thus do not interfere with compensation of diabetes and associated hyperlipoproteinaemia. 2. ACE inhibitors moreover reduce glomerular filtration and albuminuria and thus retard along with the effect on BP the progression of diabetic nephropathy. 3. In pre-existing hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism (cca in 18% diabetic subjects) they can however cause dangerous hyperkalinaemia by further inhibition of the damaged renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. In instances Ca inhibitors are indicated. The latter activate RAAS and do not have an impact on albuminuria. By their effect on the vas deferens they can increase glomerular filtration. 4. Diuretics are not suitable for the treatment of hypertension in X syndrome and the use of beta-blocking agents even with ISA and beta-1-selective preparations in restricted in particular when insulin is administered or other numerous contraindications are present (cardiac failure, bradyarrythmias, bronchitis etc.). Perhaps a combination of ACE-inhibitors and Ca antagonists of the 2nd generation with an alpha-blocking agent or hybrid alpha-beta-blocking agent is a suitable solution.