Method for treating heart failure by inhibiting the sarcolemmal sodium/calcium exchange

摘要

The present invention discloses a method of enhancing cardiac contractility in a subject with heart failure. The method consists of administering a compound that inhibits the sarcolemmal sodium/calcium exchanger, whose activity is elevated in heart failure. This method results in correction of cellular calcium handling and enhancement of cardiac contractility to healthy levels. This method can be used for treatment of acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock and congestive heart failure.