title: Calcium sensitizers in chronic heart failure: inotropic interventions-reservation to preservation.
abstract: Newly developed Ca2+ sensitizers possess different mechanisms of action on contractile machinery. Increasing maximal Ca(2+)-activated force in addition to enhancing Ca2+ sensitivity (MCI-154, EMD 53998, and EMD 57033) could exert pronounced positive inotropy and may provide a mechanoenergetic advantage over the classic Ca2+ mobilization in the chronically failing heart. EMD 53998 and EMD 57033 prolong crossbridge attachment time, resulting in negative lusitropy. In contrast, pimobendan, levosimendan, and MCI-154 accelerate left ventricular relaxation in heart failure, because Ca2+ sensitizing action of these agents may be prominent during the early phases of contraction. Therefore, Ca2+ sensitizers can avoid the legacy of problems associated with conventional inotropic interventions and may break through "reservation" to "preservation" in the treatment of chronic heart failure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Suzuka General Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Teramura
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamakado
mesh_terms: D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002301:Cardiac Glycosides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D002301:Cardiac Glycosides; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases; D002118:Calcium