Vasodilating mechanisms of levosimendan: involvement of K+ channels.

Article Details

Citation

Copy to clipboard

Yildiz O

Vasodilating mechanisms of levosimendan: involvement of K+ channels.

J Pharmacol Sci. 2007 May;104(1):1-5. Epub 2007 Apr 24.

PubMed ID

17452812 [ View in PubMed

]

Abstract

Levosimendan, a novel agent developed for the treatment of acute and decompensated heart failure, exerts potent positive inotropic action and peripheral vasodilatory effects. The mechanism of vasodilation by levosimendan may involve reduction of Ca2+ sensitivity of contractile proteins in vascular smooth muscle, the lowering of intracellular free Ca2+, the potential inhibition of phosphodiesterase (PDE) III, and an opening of K+ channels. Although the importance and relative contribution of each of these mechanisms of vasorelaxation is unclear and may be different in various vessels and dependent on the dose of levosimendan, the important roles of K+-channel opening and Ca2+ desensitization in vascular smooth muscle are obvious, whereas the role of PDE inhibition remains to be defined. This review article briefly discusses the current research data on the mechanism of levosimendan-induced vasodilation with an emphasis on the types of the blood vessels and the K+ channels. It also summarizes the current experimental and clinical knowledge of the use of levosimedan in the treatment of heart failure.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets

Drug	Target	Kind	Organism	Pharmacological Action	Actions
Levosimendan	ATP-sensitive inward rectifier potassium channel 11	Protein	Humans	Yes	Inducer	Details
Levosimendan	ATP-sensitive inward rectifier potassium channel 8	Protein	Humans	Yes	Inducer	Details