Author(s) :

Maxime Goulet.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) have emerged as important therapeutic agents in cardiac surgery, particularly for preventing arterial graft spasm during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This literature review synthesizes evidence on CCB efficacy, administration methods, and clinical outcomes in cardiac surgery patients. A comprehensive analysis of 25 studies spanning 1987-2025 reveals consistent short-term benefits of CCB therapy in preventing arterial graft spasm and improving immediate surgical outcomes. CCBs, including diltiazem, verapamil, nicardipine, and amlodipine, show robust short-term efficacy in improving graft flow rates and reducing perioperative complications, with emerging agents like efonidipine offering novel dual-channel blocking activity. While observational studies suggest sustained benefits, randomized controlled trials question prolonged treatment necessity. Therefore, the long-term effectiveness of these medications remains controversial. Critical gaps include insufficient large-scale randomized trials, unclear optimal treatment duration, and limited patient stratification research. Future investigations should focus on multi-center randomized controlled trials, novel dualchannel blocking agents, and personalized treatment approaches based on patient-specific risk factors.