Efficiency and Safety of Prolonged Levosimendan Infusion in Patients with Acute Heart Failure

Overview

Journal Cardiol Res Pract

Publisher Wiley

Specialty Cardiology & Vascular Diseases

Date 2011 May 12

PMID 21559263

Citations 2

Authors

Georgios Aidonidis

Ioannis Kanonidis

Vasileios Koutsimanis

Till Neumann

Raimund Erbel

Georgios Sakadamis

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background. Levosimendan is an inotropic drug with unique pharmacological advantages in patients with acute heart failure. Scope of this study is to determine whether longer infusion patterns without the hypotension-inducing loading dose could justify an effective and safe alternative approach. Methods. 70 patients admitted to the emergencies with decompensated chronic heart failure received intravenously levosimendan without a loading dose up to 72 hours. Clinical parameters, BNP (Brain Natriuretic Peptide) and signal-averaged-ECG data (SAECG) were recorded up to 72 hours. Results. The 48-hour group demonstrated a statistically significant BNP decrease (P < .001) after 48 hours, which also maintained after 72 hours. The 72-hour group demonstrated a bordeline decrease of BNP after 48 hours (P = .039), necessitating an additional 24-hour infusion to achieve significant reduction after 72 hours (P < .004). SAECG data demonstrated a statistically significant decrease after 72 hours (P < .04). Apart from two deaths due to advanced heart failure, no major complications were observed. Conclusion. Prolonged infusion of levosimendan without a loading dose is associated with an acceptable clinical and neurohumoral response.

Citing Articles

Effect of levosimendan in patients with acute decompensated heart failure : A meta-analysis.

Zhou S, Zhang L, Li J Herz. 2018; 44(7):630-636.

PMID: 29637229 DOI: 10.1007/s00059-018-4693-3.

Levosimendan in critical illness: a literature review.

Pierrakos C, Velissaris D, Franchi F, Muzzi L, Karanikolas M, Scolletta S J Clin Med Res. 2014; 6(2):75-85.

PMID: 24578748 PMC: 3935527. DOI: 10.14740/jocmr1702w.

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