Adenosine as a positive inotrop in the compromised heart

Abstract

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 A.sub.2 receptor agonist. Also disclosed are methods that include administering in conjunction with an adenosine A.sub.2 receptor agonist a second compound which potentiates the beneficial effect of the adenosine A.sub.2 receptor agonist, e.g., an adenosine transport inhibitor, an inhibitor of adenosine metabolism or an adenosine A.sub.1 receptor antagonist.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.