Effects of L- and N-Type Ca Channel Blocker Cilnidipine on Changes in Heart Rate and QT Interval During Dialysis

Background/Aims: Hemodialysis patients have poor prognosis due to increased prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. Treatment to suppress increases in sympathetic nerve activity and QT prolongation may have the potential to reduce the occurrence of these events. The L/N-type Calcium (Ca) channel blocker cilnidipine has unique inhibitory action to inhibit sympathetic nerve activity and in a canine model ameliorates QT prolongation. In this study, we investigated whether cilnidipine has inhibitory effects on heart rate, an index of sympathetic nerve activity, and QT prolongation in patients undergoing dialysis. Methods: An L-type Ca channel blocker amlodipine was administered for 4 weeks followed by cilnidipine treatment for 4 weeks. On the last day of each period, heart rate and corrected QT interval were estimated and compared between the two periods. Results : Cilnidipine showed greater suppression of heart rate during dialysis than did amlodipine. The corrected QT interval in one dialysis session was significantly increased, and 3 of 17 patients showed prominent QT prolongation during administration of amlodipine but not cilnidipine. Conclusion : These data suggested that cilnidipine may inhibit increases in heart rate and QT interval. Cilnidipine may have beneficial effects in reducing cardiovascular events, resulting from increased sympathetic nerve activity and lethal arrhythmias in hemodialysis patients.