Rationale: Acquired diaphragm muscle weakness is a key feature in several chronic
conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, and
difficult weaning from mechanical ventilation. No drugs are available to improve respiratory
muscle function in these patients. Recently, we have shown that the calcium sensitizer
levosimendan enhances the force-generating capacity of isolated diaphragm fibers.
Objectives: To investigate the effects of the calcium sensitizer levosimendan on in vivo …

Rationale: Acquired diaphragm muscle weakness is a key feature in several chronic
diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, and
difficult weaning from mechanical ventilation. However, no drug is available to improve
respiratory muscle function in these patients. Recently, we have shown that the calcium
sensitizer levosimendan enhances force generating capacity of isolated diaphragm fibers.
Objectives: To investigate the effects of the calcium sensitizer levosimendan on in vivo …