Renal Preservation Following Severe Ischemia and Prophylactic Calcium Channel Blockade

Abstract
The ability of the Ca channel blocker verapamil to prevent renal ischemic damage was assessed in a randomized double blind study of 41 rats. Study animals received either i.v. verapamil or placebo prior to renal pedicle occlusion and contralateral nephrectomy. Rats receiving verapamil pretreatment demonstrated significantly greater functional preservation 48 h after ischemia (P < 0.005) and exhibited better overall survival rates. In this study verapamil provided protection against renal damage following ischemia.