Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology and therapeutics
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J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol. Ther. · Jun 2006
Effect of levosimendan and milrinone on regional myocardial ischemia/reperfusion-induced arrhythmias in dogs.
Phosphodiesterase inhibitors as inodilators in heart failure are associated with promotion of arrhythmias. Calcium sensitizers have been proposed for the treatment of severe decompensated heart failure. The effect of levosimendan, a calcium sensitizer, and milrinone, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, on ventricular arrhythmias was compared in a model of acute regional myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. ⋯ Levosimendan, but not milrinone, significantly attenuated the pronounced increase in the number of ventricular premature beats (-63%), tachycardia (-50%), fibrillation (-70%), and inhomogeneity of ventricular electrical activation. Levosimendan significantly improved the overall survival rate. Levosimendan has a more beneficial profile than milrinone regarding the development of ventricular arrhythmias during and after regional myocardial ischemia.