Effects of pimobendan on isolated human right atria strips and on isolated left atria of the rat.

The present study describes the effects of pimobendan on isolated human right atrial strips and on isolated left atria of the rat. Pimobendan induces a positive inotropic effect both in human and rat preparations. The maximal increase (28 +/- 2.0%) obtained with pimobendan in the strips from human right atria was similar to that obtained in left atria of the rat (31 +/- 1.8%). These observations may have some clinical relevance as pimobendan might prove to be an alternative to catecholamines for inotropic support in patients who undergo general anaesthesia.