Successful use of diltiazem in calcinosis caused by connective tissue disease.

Abstract

The mechanism for calcinosis in connective tissue disease remains unclear. Various therapies such as warfarin, colchicine, steroids, and bisphosphonates have been tried. However, despite some benefit in early cases, improvement generally is not seen in advanced cases of calcinosis. Several recent studies strongly suggest a favorable response of calcinosis to diltiazem, a calcium channel antagonist. This report concerns two Filipino women, one with dermatomyositis, the other with undifferentiated connective tissue disease, who showed significant reduction of widespread calcinosis after treatment with diltiazem.