CalciumSensitizers
Calcium sensitizers are a pharmacologic class of inotropes that increase cardiac contractility by increasing the sensitivity of the myocardium to calcium rather than increasing intracellular calcium concentration. The principal mechanism is binding to the calcium-bound form of troponin C, enhancing cross-bridge formation at a given calcium level. Some agents also cause vasodilation through other mechanisms (e.g., opening ATP-sensitive potassium channels).
Levosimendan is a prominent human medicine in this class, acting as a calcium sensitizer and vasodilator (inodilator).
Clinical considerations: Calcium sensitizers can improve hemodynamics with less increase in myocardial oxygen consumption than conventional