Modulation of Cardiac Calcium Sensitivity

Calcium sensitizers are a new class of drug which increases the force of contraction of the heart by increasing the calcium sensitivity of contractile proteins. Their development represents the first major innovation in the treatment of heart failure for over 200 years. Unlike other drugs in this area, they do not increase the intracellular calcium concentration and do not have the side-effects associated with that mechanism of action. These drugs offer an exciting alternative approach to the treatment of heart failure, and this volume provides an authoritative overview of the physiology, biochemistry, and clincial issues involved. It will be of interest to pharmacologists, research and clinical cardiologists, and physiologists.