Dilazep dihydrochloride was administered orally at 300 mg/day for 24 months in 15 of these patients

The effect of dilazep or adenosine on the mechanical function was examined in both palmitoyl-L-camitine (PALCAR) treated heart (PALCAR-treated heart experiments) and normal (PALCAR-untreated) heart (normal heart experiments). Dilazep, adenosine or vehicle was infused into the aortic cannula for 45 mm at a constant flow rate of 0.1 ml/min. In the PALCAR-treated heart experiments, PALCAR was infused into the aortic cannula at the constant flow rate of 0.1 ml /min for 10 min from 10 min after the start of infusion of dilazep, adenosine or vehicle. The experimental condition and protocol of the normal heart experiments were essentially the same as in the PALCAR-treated heart experiments, except for an infusion of KHB buffer instead of PALCAR solution. In each group, LVSP, LVEDP and LVDP were recorded continuously before and during the infusion of dilazep, adenosine or vehicle.