Role of Calcium Channel Blockers in Myocardial Preconditioning

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The effects of coronary heart disease are usually attributable to the detrimental effects of acute myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Newer strategies such as ischaemic or pharmacological preconditioning have been shown to condition the myocardium to ischaemia-reperfusion injury and thus reduce the final infarct size. This review investigates the role of calcium channel blockers in myocardial preconditioning. Additionally, special attention is given to nicorandil whose mechanism of action may be associated with the cardioprotective effects of preconditioning. There are still many uncertainties in understanding the role of these agents in preconditioning, but future research in this direction will certainly help reduce coronary heart disease.