Description
Vesnarinone is an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3; IC
50s = 10.7 and 13.2 μM for PDE3A and PDE3B, respectively). It also inhibits ether-a-go-go-related gene 1 (ERG1) channels (IC
50 = 1.1 μM in HEK293T cells expressing human ERG1). Vesnarinone (3-300 μM) increases contractile tension in isolated ventricular muscles of dog, cat, rabbit, and guinea pig in a dose-dependent manner. Oral and i.v. administration of vesnarinone increases right ventricular pressure with no effect on heart rate in dog models of tricuspid insufficiency- and pulmonary stenosis-induced congestive heart failure. It also increases contractility and coronary flow while decreasing heart rate in a guinea pig model of aortic stenosis-induced congestive heart failure. Formulations containing vesnarinone have been used for the treatment of congestive heart failure.