Acute coronary syndromes calcium channel blockers

Nitrates are required for symptomatic relief of chest pain they are not proven to improve hard outcomes such as MI or death. Nitrates should be given initially sublingually or by spray, followed by oral or transdermal routes if pain is relieved. Lack of pain relief mandates i.v. administration. Beta-blockers such as metoprolol are used and may reduce the risk of subsequent MI. Calcium channel blockers such as dilfiazem, verapamil, or long-acting di-hydropyridines can be added for symptom control if nitrates and beta-blockers do not suffice they do not improve outcomes. In fact, they may worsen outcomes in the presence of left ventricular dysfunction or CHF in acute coronary syndrome. 

Overdose is common amongst users (up to 22% of heavy users report losing consciousness). The desired euphoria and excitement turns to acute fear, with psychotic symptoms, convulsions, hypertension, haemorrhagic storke, tachycardia, arrhythmias, hyperthermia coronary vasospasm (sufficient to present as the acute coronary syndrome with chest pain and myocardial infarction) may occur, and acute left ventricular dysfunction. Treatment is chosen according to the clinical picture (and the known mode of action), from amongst, e.g. haloperidol (rather than chlorpromazine) for mental disturbance diazepam for convulsions a vasodilator, e.g. a calcium channel blocker, for hypertension glyceryl trinitrate for myocardial ischaemia (but not a p-... 

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