Vasodilator mechanisms of action of amrinone do not involve the opening of either ATP-sensitive or Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels.

Amrinone is more coronary vasodilatory than positive inotropic compared with other newer phosphodiesterase inhibitors. In order to explore possible involvements of ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) and large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ (KCa) channels in the vasodilator effect of amrinone, we investigated whether amrinone-induced vasodilation would be antagonized by glibenclamide, a blocker of KATP channels, or by charybdotoxin or tetraethylammonium, blockers of KCa channels. In isolated, blood-perfused canine papillary muscle preparations, the amrinone-induced increase in blood flow was not affected by glibenclamide given to support dogs. In canine large coronary arteries contracted with high (25 mM) KCl, amrinone-induced relaxation was not affected by glibenclamide, charybdotoxin and tetraethylammonium. These results suggest that the vasodilator mechanisms of amrinone do not involve the opening of either KATP or KCa channels.