Pimobendan increases survival of cardiomyopathic hamsters

We investigated the effect of the new cardiotonic drug pimobendan on survival of hereditary cardiomyopathic hamsters. Untreated cardiomyopathic hamsters served as controls. A 50% mortality was observed after 280 days for the control group and after 318 days for the pimobendan-treated animals. After 340 days, survival was 0% for the untreated cardiomyopathic hamsters and 27% in the pimobendan-treated group. We conclude that pimobendan slows the progression of heart failure in cardiomyopathic hamsters.