Postischemically reduced left ventricular function (stunning) was created by repetitive left coronary occlusions in 22 pigs. This contractile dysfunction was reversed by infusion of either levosimendan (24 microg/kg loading and 0.04 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) infusion) or an equipotent dose of dobutamine (1.25 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1)). Contractility and cardiac output were normalized by both drug regimens