Prevention of recurrent stone formation will only be possible with careful metabolic evaluation and appropriate management.
In this present prospective study, a total of 95 patients with calcium oxalate (CaOx) stone disease were evaluated with respect
to the effects of a calcium channel blocking agent (verapamil) therapy on stone-forming risk factors. A total of 95 patients
with CaOx urolithiasis were well evaluated for the possible specific effects of verapamil administration on stone-forming
risk factors during long-term follow-up. All patients had calcium-containing stones with normal renal morphology and function
without any urinary tract infection. The follow-up period ranged from 12 to 36.6 months, with a mean value of 24.4 months.
The age of the patients (54 male and 41 female; M/F: 1.31) ranged from 20 to 46 years (mean 34.3 years). On metabolic evaluation
all patients had some kind of risk factors and patients were independently randomized into two groups, namely group 1 (
n = 49): patients receiving calcium entry blocker, verapamil hydrochloride (isoptin 240 mg KKH tablets, oral t.i.d.); group
2 (
n = 46): patients receiving no specific therapy (control patients) that were matched for sex and age. Follow-up results (at
least 1 year) with respect to the changes in urinary stone-forming risk factors were recorded in both groups. During long-term
follow-up patients undergoing no specific therapy did not show a significant change with respect to the urinary levels of
stone-forming risk factors when compared with the others receiving verapamil on a regular basis. In the light of our results
as well as the literature data, we believe that the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the effect of verapamil on stone
formation (as a result of enhanced crystal deposition) and on the excretion of the urinary stone-forming risk factors have
to be well evaluated in further experimental as well as clinical studies. Although the exact mechanism of action is not clear;
we may claim that the limitation of internal calcium shift by these agents may also well effect the tubular process related
to oxalate handling which ultimately limits its excretion in urine.
Keywords Verapamil - Calcium oxalate urolithiasis - Risk factors