Use of Levosimendan in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension: What is the Current Evidence?

Overview

Journal Drugs

Specialty Pharmacology

Date 2023 Jan 18

PMID 36652192

Authors

Daniele Masarone

Michelle Kittleson

Piero Pollesello

Ryan J Tedford

Giuseppe Pacileo

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Pulmonary hypertension, defined as an increase in mean arterial pressure > 20 mmHg, is a chronic and progressive condition with high mortality and morbidity. Drug therapy of patients with pulmonary hypertension is based on the distinctive pathophysiologic aspect that characterizes the different groups. However, recently, levosimendan, a calcium-sensitizing agent with inotropic, pulmonary vasodilator, and cardioprotective properties, has been shown to be an effective and safe therapeutic strategy for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (in addition to specific drugs) and pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease (as possible treatment). This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current evidence on the use of levosimendan in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

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