['Diastolic heart failure is a rising problem with a high incidence and similar mortality and morbidity compared to patients with systolic heart failure. Nevertheless, the underlying pathophysiology is still debated.', 'We investigated the effect of pharmacological enhancement of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) on experimental diastolic heart failure (DHF).', 'DHF was induced in 60 DAHL salt-sensitive rats by salt diet in 8-week-old animals. 30 were treated with the eNOS enhancer AVE3085 (DHFeNOS) and 30 with placebo (DHF). Rats with normal salt intake served as controls.'] Does enhancement of the endothelial NO synthase attenuate experimental diastolic heart failure?