Question

Mr. Ali is a 58-year-old man with a history of hypertension. Recently his physician changed his medication from verapamil to nifedipine. Rationalize the influence of these drugs in terms of cardiac efficiency to support the decision of the physician

Answer 1

Nifedipine is a potent vasodilator, having no negative inotropic effects. In addition, nifedipine can cause a transmural redistribution of blood flow from endocardium to epicardium. In contrast, verapamil is also a potent vasodilator, but has marked negative inotropic effects.