Described is a method of administering transmucosally, particularly to oral or nasal mucosa, levosimendan or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a patient. The method comprises contacting an intact mucous membrane with a source of levosimendan, and maintaining said source in contact with said mucous membrane for a sufficient time period to deliver levosimendan to the patient. Transmucosal preparations of levosimendan are also described. Levosimendan is useful in the treatment of heart failure.
