Effects of nicardipine on coronary blood flow.

Nicardipine, a new 1,4 dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, has chemical properties that permit both oral and stable intravenous preparations. These preparations have prominent effects on indices of myocardial ischemia, coronary blood flow, and myocardial oxygen consumption. Data are reviewed from animal models of myocardial ischemia and patient studies that suggest that nicardipine has very prominent effects acting to increase coronary blood flow and reduce myocardial oxygen demand, in addition to favorable effects on myocardial metabolism and function.