Improved survival with simendan after experimental myocardial infarction in rats

This study compared the effects of simendan, a calcium sensitizer, with tho se of milrinone and enalapril on survival of rats with healed myocardial in farction. Seven days after ligation-induced myocardial infarction, the rats were randomized to control, milrinone, enalapril, or simendan groups. All compounds were administered via the drinking water for 312 days, at which t ime there was 80% mortality in the control group-the study's primary endpoi nt. The infarct sizes were similar across all groups. At endpoint, the mort ality rates were: 63% (milrinone), 56% (enalapril) and 53% (simendan); the risk reductions were 25% (P = 0.04 vs, control) and 28% (P = 0.02 vs, contr ol) with enalapril and simendan, respectively. Milrinone had no statistical ly significant effect on the survival rate. These findings suggest that, li ke enalapril, simendan improved survival in rats with healed myocardial inf arction. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.