Comparative hemodynamic effects of levosimendan alone and in conjunction with 4-aminopyridine or calcium chloride in a rodent model of severe verapamil poisoning.

Levosimendan (Levo) increases sensitivity of troponin-C to calcium, thus increasing myocardial contractility. It is also a vascular K+-ATP channel agonist producing peripheral vasodilation. Previous research with levosimendan revealed an increase in cardiac output (CO) but not blood pressure (BP) in experimental verapamil poisoning.