[Anti-arrhythmia therapy with Ca++-antagonists].

A minireview is given of the theoretical and clinical knowledge relating to antiarrhythmic therapy with Ca++-antagonists. Following a brief recall of the basic cardiac electrophysiological elements, some primarily Ca++- and 'slow response'-dependent electropathological phenomena (ischaemia-induced local conduction delay, ST-T-alternans, early and delayed after depolarizations) are presented, to which roles are attributed in the development of re-entry, triggered automaticity and human cardiac arrhythmias. Next, those types of heart rhythm disturbances are discussed which can be treated in the hope of success with Ca++ entry blocking (class IV) antiarrhythmic agents.