[K-channel activators and cardioprotection].

The hemodynamic effects of K-channel openers suggest that these drugs should be beneficial in the management of hypertension and angina. Many experimental data have also shown that K-channel openers exert effective cardioprotection, decreasing the deleterious consequences of myocardial ischemia and limiting the damage induced by reperfusion. The mechanism of myocardial protection during ischemia is still unclear, even though there are experimental results that suggest that K-channel openers may act in the same way as preconditioning. The reduction of Ca-overload and the inhibitory effect on oxidative damage are possible explanations for the myocardial protection during reperfusion.