Darusentan

The mode of action by which the endothelin receptor antagonists cause a decrease of the BP is not yet totally elucidated; however, peripheral vasodilatation due to blockade of the vasoconstrictor effects of endothelin is the most likely explanation. A reduction of cardiac contractility is considered unlikely. Several studies have been published that investigated the effects of either selective or nonselective endothelin receptor blockade in patients with heart failure. In these studies, application of endothelin antagonists, while decreasing both systemic and pulmonary BP increased cardiac index and did not alter cardiac contractility or heart rate.