PD 122860 is a novel dihydropyridine with sodium channel stimulating and calcium channel blocking properties. In the rat heart, PD 122860 increased left ventricular contractility, decreased coronary resistance and altered the shape of the electrocardiogram T-wave. PD 122860 selectively relaxed potassium-contracted aortic rings and inhibited [3H]nitrendipine binding to rat brain membranes, suggesting that the vasodilator activity of PD 122860 is due to Ca++ channel blockade.
