Direct vascular effects due to opening of SMC BK channel upon reperfusion are unlikely since BK−/− hearts show a strongly preserved reactive hyperemic response upon a transient 5 min ischemia, an uncompromised baseline coronary flow (Figure S4 in File S1), and the improvement in myocardial functions observed with the BK openers NS1619 [47] or NS11021 were independent of significant increases in flow [26]. The gene discussed is KCNMA1; the disease is ischemia.