Potassium Channel-Related Relaxation by Levosimendan in the Human Internal Mammary Artery

Levosimendan effectively and directly decreases the tone of IMA. The mechanism of levosimendan-induced relaxation in IMA appears in part to be adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium-channel opening action. Levosimendan may be a cardiovascular protective agent by its relaxing action on the major arterial graft, IMA.