Levosimendan for patients with impaired left ventricular function undergoing cardiac surgery

Yoshiyuki Tokuda, Peter W. Grant, Hugh D. Wolfenden, Con Manganas, William J. Lyon, J. S K Murala

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

The efficacy of levosimendan treatment for a low cardiac output status following cardiac surgery has not been established. Here, we review our initial experiences of the perioperative use of levosimendan. This study is a retrospective uncontrolled trial. Nine patients who underwent cardiac surgery, and developed a low cardiac output status resistant to conventional inotropic support, were given levosimendan. The mean preoperative ejection fraction was 35.2±3.4%. All patients were on concomitant inotropic agents and had previously undergone intra-aortic balloon pumping. Cardiac index increased immediately from 2.14±0.33 l/min/m2 at baseline to 2.41±0.31 (P=0.02) at 1 h, rising to 2.67±0.43 (P<0.001) at 4 h after the loading dose was started. Similarly, the systemic vascular resistance index decreased from 2350±525 dynes/s/cm-5m2 at baseline to 1774±360 (P=0.002) at 4 h. In the case of all but one of the patients, either the dose of the concomitant inotropic support or the balloon pumping could be weaned down within 24 h after completion of the levosimendan infusion. No withdrawal of levosimendan was required. Levosimendan could constitute a new therapeutic option for postoperative low cardiac output.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)322-326
Number of pages5
JournalInteractive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery
Volume5
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2006

Keywords

  • Impaired ventricular function
  • Levosimendan
  • Postoperative care

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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