Anti-atherosclerotic properties of nifedipine - Benefit of early intervention to prevent cardiovascular complications

Early stages of the atherosclerotic plaque are considered to be responsible for about 2/3 of all acute coronary syndromes. Therefore, suppression of this initial stage of plaque formation constitutes a major target to reduce the incidence of the disease itself as well as its complications. Ca antagonists, like Nifedipine, interfere with Ca++ ions crucially involved in atherogenesis, Consequently, interval angiographic trials with Nifedipine in patients afflicted with coronary artery disease assessed a significant reduction of coronary lesions. Clinical outcome trials will establish the prognostic importance of the anti-atherosclerotic properties of Nifedipine.