Abstract: Therapeutically active compounds of formula (I): wherein the variables shown in formula (I) are defined in the disclosure; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof. The compounds are potent inhibitors of the Na+/Ca2+ exchange mechanism.

Abstract: Therapeutically active compounds of formula (I): wherein X is —O—, —CH2— or —C(O)—; Z is —CHR9— or valence bond; Y is —CH2—, —C(O)—, CH(OR10)—, —CH(NR11R12)—, —O—, —S—, —S(O)— or —S(O2)—, provided that in case Z is a valence bond, Y is not C(O); the dashed line represents an optional double bond in which case Z is —CR9— and Y is —CH—, C(OR10)— or —C(NR11R12)—; R1 is —(CH2)nNR4R7 or one of the following groups: n is 1-4; R2 and R3 are independently H, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, —NO2, halogen, —CF3, —OH, —NHR8 or —COOH, R4 and R7 are independently H, lower alkyl or lower hydroxyalkyl; R5 is H, lower alkoxy, —CF3, —NH2 or —CN; R6 is —NO2, —NR14R19, —CF3 or R8 and R16 are independently H or acyl; R9 is H or lower alkyl; R10 is H, alkylsulfonyl or acyl; R11 and R12 a

Abstract: A method for obtaining direct dilatation of the coronary arteries by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a phospholamban inhibitor is described. Compounds which are effective in relieving the inhibitory effects of phospholamban on cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase are also described.