Adenosine as a positive inotrop in the compromised heart

摘要

Disclosed are methods of increasing the contractile performance of a compromised myocardium in a mammal. The methods include administering a therapeutically affective amount of an adenosine A2 receptor agonist. Also disclosed are methods that include administering in conjunction with an adenosine A2 receptor agonist a second compound which potentiates the beneficial effect of the adenosine A2 receptor agonist, e.g., an adenosine transport inhibitor, an inhibitor of adenosine metabolism or an adenosine A1 receptor antagonist.